"Elizabeth and Anastasia 3"( Ff FF )[3/8] <> Everything was set for Saturday. The one regret Betty had was that she was forced to cancel another date, something she'd set up with a guy from her school. After she promised to make it up to him another time, he'd agreed. Not that he had much choice. Robert, her date, was to pick her up at 5:30 before heading for the restaurant. After an early dinner, they'd go to a show. Later they'd play it by ear. Stacy was a little short on details, like what her date was like, where they were going, and what movie they'd be seeing. Betty really didn't care much about those details either. She just wanted to go out with Stacy again. Maybe this time she'd find out what was going on inside the other girl's head. That's what was important. As for the guys, if they were anything like the ones she knew, they could easily be ignored. Right on time, there was a knock on the door. Jonathan answered it. "Hello, Mr. Brust? I'm Robert. Betty's date for tonight. Is she here?" "Hi Robert. Come on in. Betty said she'd be ready in a few minutes. Have a seat." Jonathan liked the looks of this guy. Big, maybe six-one, six-two, strong, well-developed muscles, a fair bit over 200 pounds, but with a gentle face. Good looking, especially wearing the suit and tie. It fit well, obviously tailored. He was happy that his daughter was dating nice guys. After a few minutes of conversation (pumping for info), it turns out the guy is seventeen, in the same school as Stacy, gets good grades, and is into football rugby and weight-lifting. His name is Robert, not Rob, or Bob, as Jonathan mistakenly called him. He surprised Jonathan by also admitting to liking the theatre, especially musicals, and about learning to play the flute. It didn't seem to fit the jock image Jonathan had formed. Betty came out into the living room. Both of the men stared. She'd tried to make everything perfect for tonight. Her hair was brushed and styled and makeup put on just so. She was wearing a calf-length pale silver-grey dress which was very sleek and form-fitting, along with a matching vest/wrap, shoes, and purse. In the daylight it didn't really go with her hair and skin, but later, in the evening, it would be spectacular. Judging by the looks on those two guys faces, it was pretty good right now. Jonathan recovered first since he was generally used to seeing his daughter - but not used to seeing her look this good. "My don't you look fabulous today." "Thanks dad." She did a pirouette, flaring out the hem of her dress, showing off a bit of her slim legs. The heels she had on gave her calves a bit more shape and dimension which made them even more beautiful. Robert recovered his breath. "Yes Betty. You look stunning." Suddenly he grinned. "Elizabeth, you are beautiful. Stacy could never have prepared me for this moment. Mere words could not do you justice. You are a vision, sent from heaven. Come, before my madness ends, your carriage awaits, and beyond that, dinner and the theater." During this speech, he'd gone over, taken Betty's hand, and led her out the door. This was something new to both her and her father, and neither were prepared for it. "Farewell. Your daughter's safe return will always be foremost in my mind." He closed the door, leaving Jonathan alone and speechless in his house. Robert was grinning from ear to ear. "Hi Betty. I'm Robert, your date for tonight." He led her down to his car. 'At least', she said to herself, 'it's a nice normal car.' If this was any indication, it would be an interesting evening. She had no idea where Robert had learned his manners from, but as she found out, he was a perfect gentleman all night. This was a far cry from the normal guys she'd dated. "Betty, are you all right? You haven't said anything since we left your place." "Oh. Sorry Robert. You sort of overwhelmed me a little." Actually, she was wondering where Stacy found this guy. It had to be a setup because guys like this don't go on blind dates, no matter how beautiful the girl is supposed to be. What the hell was she up to? "That's all right. I guess I laid it on a bit thick back there. I wanted to shock your father. He'd pegged me as Mr. Dumb Jock as soon as he saw me at the door. I was also very impressed when I saw you. You are truly a beautiful young lady. You're going to make some person very happy one day." "Flatterer." Betty tried not to take him seriously, but she was impressed by his earnestness and charm. They chatted together all the way to the restaurant. It wasn't crowded yet, still being early, but it was getting busy. They spotted Stacy in a booth near the entrance. Betty guessed that the guy sitting beside her was Jordan, the other half of this double date. Their heads were together, him talking and her laughing. He looked tall. Sitting beside Stacy, he was two or three inches taller than her 5'11", so he was probably around 6'2" or 6'3". He was long and lean, slim, but with hard muscles, black hair, and dark brown eyes. Definitely good looking. She was outfitted in a long blue dress, moderate heels, matching purse, and a very pretty sapphire necklace. The dress was modest in design, covering her up almost completely from her shoulders to below her knees. It was form-fitting enough to show off her graceful figure and included a belt to emphasize her slim waist. When they came up, Jordan stood to greet Betty. (Whoops, Betty only came up to the middle of his chest. Better make that 6'6" or more.) He was also wearing a suit and tie and it looked great on him. It was obvious, even through the clothes, that he had a great body. When the introductions were over, they all sat, Jordan beside Stacy and Robert beside Betty. Jordan was also a very charming, genuinely nice person. He was nineteen, going to college, and enrolled in an arts program. He was heavily involved in theater and dance, played violin, banjo, flute and piano (all equally badly according to him) and worked out regularly with Robert in the weight room and on the track. As soon as she thought it polite, she excused herself to the ladies room and dragged Stacy with her. "Stacy! I'm mad at you! What the hell are you trying to do to me? Here I am, all set to spend an evening with you and a couple of dumb guys, and you throw these ringers in here. What gives?" Stacy looked very serious for a moment. "You meant what you said, then, that you wanted to go out with me. It wasn't a bad joke." Now Betty was getting upset and confused. "Yes I did mean it. What did you think, that I was monkeying around or something? Because if I've made a total fool of myself, I should go home now." "I don't think you need to do that. C'mere and give me a hug, right now." The two girls embraced each other, neither saying anything. It was something Betty hadn't expected, not this soon. Holding the other girl in her arms did feel really nice. She was soft and warm, and Betty's head fit so nicely on the taller girl's shoulder, just below her jaw. There was also warmth and emotion being returned in the blonde's tight hold. Betty could feel this in those arms wrapped around her, and in the rapid heartbeat and breathing of the other girl. It was the way one arm was holding her close by the waist, the other arm higher, near the shoulder, and the way her head dipped down and into Betty's hair that made her feel this was a lover's embrace, not a friends. She returned in kind, pulling Stacy closer and gently moving her head against the taller girl's neck and shoulder, letting her know that this hug was being enjoyed. Unexpected it might have been, but it was most pleasant, and told Betty everything she wanted to know. Breaking apart, Stacy spoke first. "You're partly right, and I apologize. Those two guys are ringers. I had to know if you felt anything for me. Either one of those guys could charm the cuckoo out of his clock, and if you were more interested in them than in me, I'd know your true feelings. I'm sorry." "Apology accepted. For the longest time, I didn't know if I was really attracted to you or not. There was too much fear in there. Why did you wait so long before saying anything?" "Betty, I think we should talk about this later, in private. We've got two men out there waiting for their dates." "Right. You found them, you tell them that we're not interested. This was your idea." "Not a chance. I'm looking forward to dinner and a movie. I don't get out much, and I'm gonna make the best of it. Besides, I told you they were ringers. They're safe. Just enjoy the evening." "What do you mean they're safe? They've got wives or girlfriends or something? That doesn't stop men from trying, you know that." "I'd better tell you then. Remember, this is a secret just between you, me, and them. You promise to keep it that way? All right. No, they're not married, and they don't have girlfriends. They're both gay." "No! You can't be serious! I mean, those are two of the nicest guys I've ever met!" "Believe it. They've been serious with each other for years. I said they were safe." "Oh god. What a loss to the female population. Two great guys, just poof, gone. How come it's all the good ones that get snatched up first?" That broke them both up, giggling and laughing. "Now Betty, be serious for a minute. Those two guys are taking a real chance with us. They don't want to be found out. Both of them date regularly just to put on a good show. They're too nice to be treated badly. You will keep their secret, won't you." "Yes Stacy, I will. They are nice guys." When they finally made it back to the table, Betty, feeling very daring, gave Robert a peck on the cheek. "Sorry we were gone so long. Did you miss me?" Robert blushed, and Jordan looked like he might be a touch upset. At least, he did until Stacy gave him a smooch and started nibbling on his ear. Betty winked at him and he smiled. "So, what movie are we going to see?" Stacy asked, looking around the table. Robert and Jordan looked at each other, then looked at Stacy. At almost the same time they said "Movie?" Using her most ferocious scowl, Stacy glared at Jordan. "Don't you dare. You promised me we'd be going to a movie. I've been looking forward to this all week!" The two guys looked at each other again. Robert grinned and, using a very polite, almost Victorian English tone of voice, spoke. "Mr. Jordan, did you promise Mademoiselle Stacy that this evening's entertainment would be highlighted by a moving picture?" Jordan grinned back, looking at Robert, using the same sort of voice. "I most certainly did not, Mr. Robert. I haven't the foggiest idea where she could have gotten such a fanciful notion. I certainly had no intention of going to a moving picture this evening. You may inform her of that fact." By this time, Robert, Jordan, and Betty were all grinning from ear to ear. Stacy wasn't, because she'd been looking forward to one of her few evenings out. There was something going on though, these two were having just a bit too much fun. She just didn't know what. Betty was smiling because she thought she knew what this was about, and was getting very excited about it. Robert's slip of the tongue back at her place had given her the clue she needed. "Mademoiselle Stacy, Mr. Jordan informs me that he did not, in fact, offer to take you to a moving picture. Since he is a man of honor, I believe him. Now then, in order to clear up any misunderstandings, could you please tell me what his exact words were when he invited you out for the evening?" There was definitely something going on, but she just couldn't figure it out. It looked like even Betty was in on the joke. "He said, and I quote, 'Stacy, how about double-dating next Saturday. You, me, Robert, and one of your lady friends. I feel like going out. Nothing real fancy, just dinner and a movie.' Now you tell me where that lets Mr. Not-so-nice here off the hook." "Mr. Jordan. I ask you again. Did you invite Mademoiselle Stacy out to dinner and a moving picture this evening? The lady informs me that you did in fact promise her this, and has quoted you verbatim as proof." "No, Mr. Robert, I did not. However, I could not help but overhear your conversation with the lady, and I do believe that she misremembers our conversation. A very slight flaw, but understandable. "All right you two, cut the nonsense. You've all had your laugh. Now how about letting me in on your little secret. Even Betty over there is ready to split a gut." "Okay, okay. Sheesh, can't a guy have a little fun anymore? I mean, in this day and age, a little joking gets a guy into a lot of trouble. What's the world coming to, anyway? Is there no more mirth and merr..." Stacy cut him off. "SPILL IT, JACK, OR YOU'RE IN DEEP SHIT!" Stacy was whispering, but several people at nearby tables turned to look. "Right. One. We're going to a show. Two. We're not going to a movie. Betty, you tell her." "Stacy, I think they're taking us to a real show. A real one!" "If you two are funnin' us girls, you'll be in it deep, with no shovel." "Nope. No funnin'. Four tickets to go see Phantom of the Opera. Center aisle, twelve rows back. Absolutely perfect." "You miserable bastard! Making me go through all that, just so you could pull off a stunt like this! I oughtta knock your block off!" Instead, she leaned over and gave Jordan a kiss on the cheek. "Now you've really got me excited! When do we go?" "First dinner, then show. It starts at eight, so we have plenty of time." The rest of the evening was just as much fun. The guys were delightful, the girls excited and happy, and the show was spectacular, as expected. This was the first stage show Betty had ever been to, and it was fantastic. By the time the show was over, it was too late for Stacy and Betty to get together for a talk, so it would have to wait for later. When Robert dropped off Betty, he was again a gentleman. He walked her to her door and gave her a really nice goodnight kiss. They stood there for a while, his arms around her waist, her arms around his neck, almost kissing, but instead talking. "Robert, you'd better be careful. Keep this up, and some girl's gonna fall in love with you." "Well, Betty, I guess it would hafta be unrequited love, 'cause I'm already taken." " I guess I am too. 'Course, a few kisses now and then never hurt nobody, right?" "So true. As someone once said, a kiss is just a kiss." "Y'know, I almost wish I'd met you before, well, you two." "No, you don't. Before I met Jordan, I was your prototypical ignoramus jock, dumb as a fencepost, blatantly stupid and unfeeling. He's the one that made me realize there was much more to life than pounding some other dumb jock into the dirt out on the field. Now don't get me wrong, I still like doing that, but it's not the only thing in my life anymore." "You're sure not the same as any of those dumb jocks I've dated. Well, I'd better go in now. My dad's given up on peeking through the curtain. Now he's standing there watching. I think he's really curious. This is the first time I've ever stood out here talking with my date after a goodnight kiss." "Good. I hope you leave him curious, especially after you tell him where you went." After another quick kiss and, well, just for show, yet another, they said goodnight. Betty went inside to face her father. He was sitting in his chair with his book, apparently reading. Betty wondered how he managed to get from the window to his chair so fast. "Oh, hi. You're home, and right on time, too. How was your date?" "He was really nice. Robert and Jordan are both wonderful guys." "So, what did you have for dinner, and what movie did you see? I want to know all the gory details." "Dinner? Oh, right. Dinner. Come to think of it, I don't remember what I had." "Betty, what's going on? You did go out for dinner, didn't you?" "Yes dad. We did go out to dinner. It's just that Jordan told us what show we were going to see before we ordered. I guess I was so excited I never paid any attention to that minor detail." "What possible movie could get you that excited?" "That's just it dad! It wasn't a movie! He took me to a real show! It was fantastic! We saw Phantom of the Opera! I've never seen anything like it! He's promised me he'll take me to another show some day soon too!" They sat there together, talking about the show and her date for more than an hour before Jonathan finally begged off, claiming he needed at least a couple hours sleep before morning. ********************************************************************** <> "Okay. Betty, I think what Joyce is saying is that if we want to keep seeing each other, and I certainly do, then you're going to have to move out of your father's house. There's no way that I could come around there without him knowing about it, and he terrifies me. I'm not sure I know where Joyce has in mind for you to go, but I think that's the only way we can have any time together." "Well Stacy, you're mostly right, and I do know of one place where she'd be welcome, even if neither of you have thought of it yet. You should move in together, of course." Both looked at Joyce, a little stunned. Then the corners of Stacy's mouth started to curl upward as she ran the idea around in her mind. "No, I hadn't thought of that." "Joyce, you think I should move out? That would break my father's heart. He does love me, I know, despite his yelling and arguing. He really does. I don't know if I could do this to him." "Betty, it's time for some hard facts. You don't know too much about why your mother left, do you? You were only twelve at the time, and missed much of what happened around you." "I know that she left dad to move in with another woman, in what dad calls 'an obscene lesbian affair'. He's hated her ever since, blaming her for the breakup. It's part of why I'm almost ashamed of what Stacy and I are doing. It hurts him so much." "That's part of it, but certainly not the whole story. Now to fill you in on the parts your father never told you. Like Patsy." "I know she had something to do with it, but dad never talks about what went on between the two of them before the breakup." "Well, your father was having an affair with Patsy for almost two years before your mother found out. After all the arguments and recriminations were over with, it ended up a stalemate. Jonathan told your mother that he loved her, and only her, but she couldn't give him everything he needed. Patsy made up for the things he was missing in his life, and he couldn't give her up. So Marion would just have to understand. He didn't see anything wrong with what he was doing, and she should be a better wife." "Diana, that's the person your mom moved in with, by the way, had been your mother's friend for years. We all knew Diana was bi-sexual, but since she never really came onto any of us, it was okay. That's who your mother turned to for help and comfort. Diana was not a person to put up with the B.S. your father was spewing, so she loudly and publicly dressed him down on several occasions. Your mother wouldn't leave Jonathan though, because she did love him, and you, and didn't want to break up the family. That changed very suddenly." "Jonathan saw how Marion had been going over to Diana's more and more frequently. He accused her of having a lesbian love affair on the side and trying to ruin all of their reputations. Her answer was 'So what if I am? You've got your mistress, what's the problem?' That's when he became unglued, yelling and shouting at her, calling her a whore and a bitch and other things I won't repeat. And that's when he hit her. He apologized immediately, of course, saying he was sorry over and over again, that he didn't mean to do anything like that and he'd never do it again." "Your mother was packed up and gone the next day, before Jonathan got home from work. She did move in with Diana. They had not been lovers before, but certainly were afterwards. It was months before she could bring herself to talk to me about what happened. That's when she made me promise to keep an eye out for you, to make sure you didn't end up like she did." Betty sat quietly for a long time, picking at her dinner, thinking about what Joyce had told her, about what her dad had said, and the way he was acting. She had a hard time believing that he had actually hit her mother. The part about Patsy she had no trouble believing. "I'm going to have to think about this for a while. Besides, I'm not sure I could manage living away from home. I'd need a job, but I want to finish school and go to college. Without dad's support, I don't think I could do it." "You don't need to worry about that. Your mother would be more than happy to help out in any way she can, financially or otherwise. She does still love you, you know." "Joyce, I haven't seen or spoken to my mother since she left, five years ago. I doubt she even remembers I'm alive." "Well, that's more of your father's handiwork. When your mother left, he forbade her from ever coming near him or his daughter again, saying she'd 'pervert your impressionable young mind' or some such nonsense. He threatened her with some nasty consequences if he ever found out that she'd spoken to you." "I get the impression you've been in contact with Betty's mother recently." Stacy was looking at Joyce, still with a bit of a smile, wondering what other secret intrigues she had hidden in her grey head. "Well, yes, this morning actually." ********************************************************************** <> Stacy called the next morning, inviting Betty out for coffee, saying that they had to have a talk. That afternoon Betty found herself in a small out of the way cafe not too far from home. The place was almost deserted, with only one other patron and the waiter keeping the establishment from feeling like a morgue. This wasn't going to be fun. Stacy looked too serious, and had ignored all attempts at conversation during the drive here. She didn't know what to expect, so she waited for the older girl to start. "Betty, this may get difficult, especially for you. Please be patient, and think before you say anything. I don't want any harsh words to ruin what... " She trailed off for a moment. "What do you think our relationship is, yours and mine, right now? Please be honest, for both our sakes." Feeling confused and a touch scared at how this started, Betty sipped on her coffee. She took a few minutes to try and figure out how to respond to this question. "I'm not sure how to answer you. I've never fallen for another girl before, so I have nothing to compare to. If you were a guy, I'd hope we'd be going steady soon. It's not a crush, I've had those before, and this is different. I don't know how to describe it. That one night you took me out, it was one of the most pleasant evenings I've ever had. It wasn't just the restaurant or the food or the wine. It took me a long time to realize that I enjoyed that night because I was with you, and you were being completely yourself." "God, this is gonna be hard. Betty, I like you, and I'm attracted to you. Nothing will change that. I enjoy your company because you are a very nice person. I just can't become serious with you, not now. When we went out that night, remember I said I'd broken up with my lover some months earlier? Well, she came back that weekend and we patched up our differences. We've been together ever since." "Is that why you were so cold to me again? Because you had your lover back? So why did you invite me out last night?" "Betty, it's all because you are so hard to read! You don't have the face or the body language to tell me how you feel! I needed a safe way to find out if you were attracted to me or not. There was no way for me to know that you'd fallen for me after one night. Especially since a month had gone by without you saying or doing anything to encourage me." "You didn't answer my question. If you're going steady with someone, why did you invite me out on a date?" "I invited you because I have feelings for you, and I thought you might have some for me. It was a very difficult thing for me to do. My lover satisfies my deeper physical needs, but isn't much emotionally. And there's no way I could take her on a date like last night. I was hoping that we could become close friends. I need someone to talk to, to share time with, where I can relax and just be me. That's what it was like with you when we went to Annabella's. I've missed that feeling ever since." "But I tho..." Betty paused for a minute. "It looks like I have made a fool of myself. I read more into those two nights than I should have. I am an inexperienced young girl, blundering around in things I don't understand." "Don't say that! You are not a fool. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you, the way I've acted." "No Stacy. You've described what you want. You want the same thing my father wanted. You want to keep your lover, and you want to keep a mistress on the side, to satisfy those needs your lover can't." "It's not like that at all!" "No? Well, physically or emotionally, I would only be a mistress. I can't be one. I never would have thought you'd be like my father." "Don't think of it like that! It's not! I want you to be my friend!" "Is that the polite word for it in your circles? Friend? No, Stacy. I can't be just your friend. I don't know much, but I do know my own feelings now. It wouldn't work." "Please Betty, don't say that. Why are you making this so hard on me? I care too much for you for this to happen." "You really don't understand, do you? It's not just your feelings. It's mine too. And you've just stepped all over mine. I can't, I won't, share. Anyway, I've had enough coffee for a long time. I'll walk home from here. Goodby Stacy." "No, Betty, please. Not like this. Please!" Betty got up and left, ignoring Stacy's final words. Her eyes were blurring, her throat tight and painful. The walk home was difficult as she was determined not to cry in public. The humiliation, knowing what she'd unwittingly walked into, burned deep, almost as deep as her shame, realizing she was almost willing to go along with what Stacy wanted. Knowing the suffering caused by such a triangle, having seen it in her father, mother, and Patsy, made that impossible. The only break she got that day was when she got home - dad was out. Safely in her bedroom, she could think again. Was Stacy really like her father? She had a lover. He'd had a wife. She needed more than her lover could give. He'd wanted more than his wife could give. She wanted Betty to fill those needs. He'd gotten Patsy to fulfill his. 'It matches, I guess.' Betty knew that she could never put herself in Patsy's position, being the cause, however indirectly, of the breakup of a relationship. Even if the relationship was flawed. Could she even imagine sharing her lover, whether Stacy, or anyone, with somebody else? No ... never. Besides, came a lonely whisper in the back of her mind, what if she were Stacy's lover. Would Stacy take a mistress on her? Somewhere in with those thoughts came a resolution never to fall into a trap like this again. It was obvious now that Stacy was a mistake, something to be learned from, something to move on from. There was no way she could become Stacy's lover, not after finding out what the older girl was looking for. Having made her decisions, it was time to get on with the rest of her life. There were only two things left to deal with. There was an empty feeling in her chest. Her cheek still tingled. ********************************************************************** <> "Come on Joyce, how could you do this to me! You've been talking with my mother and never told me about it?" "Betty, I've talked with your mother at least once a week ever since she left. We were close friends, and she was depending on me to look after her daughter. I made a promise to keep it a secret until I felt the time was right for you to know. She does still love you and wants you to be happy. Your mother has also promised to help out in any way she can." "This has been a very stressful day for you both, I'm sure. I think we should get going. You two are going to have to think about what's been said here. Betty, you've probably got the hardest decision to make, so I think you should spend some time on it, a few days or possibly even weeks. I think Stacy will be answering her phone from now on though." "Yeah. Elizabeth, no matter what happens or what you decide, just remember that I will still love you." Stacy sealed that statement with a kiss. Joyce had driven almost all the way home before Betty spoke. "Joyce, do you think I could speak with my mother?" "I'm sure she'd be very happy to talk with you. Come over after school tomorrow or monday, and I'll see what I can arrange." The rest of the drive was quiet. When Betty walked in, her dad was sitting up watching tv. After a few questions about dinner and the restaurant, Betty excused herself, claiming she had homework. What she wanted to do was think about everything that had happened today. Could she move out on her father? It would hurt him deeply, that she was sure of. Could she go on with the way things were, only seeing Stacy at odd times, in secret, away from dad? That hadn't been working at all. They'd slowly moved apart, almost to the point of losing each other. Besides, they'd be risking another confrontation. With the strange things her dad was doing lately, she didn't know what to expect from him anymore. If she moved out, she'd need a place to stay, probably with Stacy, and she'd need money, more than she was getting from her part-time job. There were too many things that cost, and expecting Stacy to support her was just too much. She did want to finish high school and go to college. Joyce's promises of help from mom were just a little too nebulous to really depend on. Maybe if she could talk to her mother, like they used to, it wouldn't be so bad. Did her dad really make it so mom and her were completely separated? That was a really scary thought. If he could do that, he could do almost anything. 'Christ! Why can't dad just accept the fact that Stacy and I love each other. It would make my life so much easier!' School the next day was a little better. At least she could concentrate on what the teachers were talking about. A couple of her friends commented that she looked happier too, more like her usual self. She did feel a lot better, knowing that Stacy loved her. There was a surprise waiting for her when she got home. Patsy, her dad's girlfriend, was there packing up his things for a trip. "Lizzy! How nice to see you again! How's my sweet little girl doing?" Betty put up with this, and the hug and kiss, without showing any of the distaste she felt. Patsy was her usual self, bubbling over with false enthusiasm, talking a mile a minute, usually not even listening to herself. Her smile never reached her eyes, and her ever-present giggle and laugh rarely seemed genuine. "Johnny called me last night and told me we'd all be going to the beach for the weekend. It sounded so wonderful, I just couldn't wait to get going. I came over to pack his things so we'd all be ready to go as soon as lover-boy gets off work. Isn't this exciting? And so sudden!" "Please, Patsy, my name is Elizabeth or Betty. Not Liz, Lizzy, Lizbeth, Betsy, or any of those other nicknames you use. I don't like them." "Oh, that's okay. You know I love you anyway Betsy. Now you'd better go get packed up. Your dad's leaving work early, so we'd better be ready to go soon." "I won't be going to the beach. It's just you two this time. I hope you have lots of fun." "Don't be silly. Of course you're coming. Johnny said it would be the three of us. So don't give me any of that nonsense about not coming, and go get packed up. You don't have much time to get ready you know." "No, really, I'm not going to the beach. I've got some things I need to do this weekend and can't get away." This was partly true, since there was a basketball game set for Saturday. Her coach had already excused her from participating though, since she didn't seem mentally fit to play. "Come on now, what kind of attitude is that. We're both looking forward to spending a nice weekend with you. He'll be heartbroken if he finds out you don't want to go. You wouldn't want to do that to him, would you." "Patsy, I already told him I wasn't going. He didn't listen either. The only reason he set this up is because he thinks I need to get away." "So what's wrong with that? It just proves that he cares about you. It certainly wouldn't hurt you to do something to make him happy for a change, now would it. I mean, how hard could it be, spending two glorious days in the sun, with lots of sand, the ocean, seabirds flying overhead, and all those delicious near-naked guys roaming all over the beach. Most girls would be drooling at the prospect. Now quit being silly and go get ready." Patsy could be very persuasive when she wanted to be. Betty knew, though, that the only reason Patsy was trying to convince her to go was because the trip would probably be off without her. There was always an ulterior motive, usually selfish, behind anything she said. "No Patsy, not this time. Anyway, I've got some studying to do. I'll be in my room if you need anything." She turned and headed for her room. Patsy got in the last word, like usual. "Your dad's not going to like this, Lizzy. I hope you change your mind before he gets home."