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shower."
    "We'll save you some sausage for tomorrow," Papa said. "You can have a sausage sandwich!"
    "Thanks, Papa." I had to smile at his concern that I get a share of the sausage. Up in my room, I tried to decide where to put all the prizes Nolan had won for me. I wasn't going to take down any of my ceramic horses from the shelf. I'd worked hard to save up to buy them, and I cherished each one. I'd started collecting them once I'd reached the point where I realized I'd never get the real horse that I wanted. I eventually understood that not only could we not afford to buy or feed a horse, but that we had no place to keep one.
    I decided, finally, to put some of the prizes on my window sill. The stuffed animals I placed on my bed. I took off the diamond ring and put it in a small wood en box for special belongings that I kept in my dresser. The old coins, pretty rocks, preserved flowers and such suddenly didn't look so special next to the ring. I picked up the "diamond" and slipped it on my finger for a moment, then placed it back in the box.
    It was still early after I showered. I thought about calling Nolan, but then I remembered he was singing up in Hartford. I wished he had invited me to go with him, even  though I would have had to say no.  Hartford was just too far away. I'd get home much too late. But he ... he probably thought I'd be lonely just sitting by myself in the audience while he was performing.
    I decided to call Caprice and tell her all about my day with Nolan. When her mother answered the phone, I could hear music and laughter in the background. Mrs. Moreau was always having parties. Caprice's home life was so much more colorful than mine.
    "Hi, Mrs. Moreau. This is Vija, may I speak to Caprice?"
    "Oh, hello, Vija, how are you? I'm sorry, Caprice is working tonight." The party noise grew louder, and Mrs. Moreau raised her voice. "She doesn't get off until nine! Shall I have her call you?"
    "No, that's okay," I said. "Thanks, anyway."
    " Au revoir !" said Mrs. Moreau, and then there was a click.
    I checked my watch. I figured Caprice would have a break soon, so I hurriedly dressed, slipped the diamond ring on my finger and rushed downstairs.  Mama and Papa were in the living room. Mama was crocheting a sweater for a neighbor's baby and Papa was rewiring the floor lamp next to his favorite chair.  Many times they'd told me, " Idle hands are the devil's playground ," and they lived by that motto. I hid my hands behind my back to hide my ring. "I'm going over to Shopsave to see Caprice."
    Dad glanced up from his rewiring job. "Okay. Say hello to her for us."
    "Just don't stay out too late," Mama said.
    I let out a loud sigh. "Yes, Mama."
    Mom shot me a don't-give-me-that-tone-of-voice look, but she didn't say anything. I flashed a big smile as I left. Once, in rare moment of brotherly advice that was actually useful, Karl told me that a smile went a long way with Mama. Of course, I think his boyishly charming smile worked better than my tight-lipped version, and he knew better than to let out a sigh of exasperation in the first place. But my smile worked reasonably well for me when I remembered to use it.
    It was such a sultry evening that I decided to walk to Shopsave. As I walked, a few questions started to nag at me about Nolan. Nothing major, and more about me, I suppose, than him. I was so ignorant about relationships with guys, since I'd never really had one. I just needed Caprice to ... reassure me that ... that everything was okay, that I really shouldn't be bothered by stuff like Nolan talking about old girlfriends, for example. I mean, I was sure there was really no reason to worry. As Nolan said, I probably was just too sensitive.
    I slowed my steps when I saw the red neon glow of the Shopsave sign. Tiny pellets of sweat trickled down my forehead. I took a deep breath and wiped off the sweat with the back of my hand. Just because I'd never talked to Caprice about a guy before was no reason to be