Playing With Fire, chapter 13

Bruce's crowd took up an entire section of Guido's, a popular hangout on one of Sweet Valley's main streets. Jukebox music filled the room, background for the conversation dominated by none other than Bruce Patman.

"So next week I'm taking the black beauty down to the Mojave for another road rally. She's running so well now there's no way I can lose."

"Gee, Bruce, I'd love to watch," Jessica offered. "Can I come?"

"Sorry, baby, it's hot and dirty. You wouldn't like it." Brushing her aside, he turned to John, who was polishing off his third slice of pizza. "Say, buddy, you 'taking odds on the tennis regionals?"

"I'd be a fool to bet on anyone but you," John answered dryly.

"Bruce is going to win, for sure," Jessica declared, but she could have been talking to the air for all the attention she got from him.

Minutes later, Elizabeth and Todd entered Guido's. Elizabeth looked at Jessica, who was obviously feeling left out, and wondered how much longer it would take before Jessica finally woke up.

The crafty old Jessica simply didn't exist anymore. Instead, a meek, compliant young lady had taken over and was staring worshipfully at Bruce. The old Jessica would never have let a boy walk all over her like this, Elizabeth thought. And no one, not even Bruce Patman, was worth the humiliation he was putting her through.

"Ken, you doing anything tomorrow?" Bruce asked. "Dad gave me a rifle I want to try out."

"You with a gun, Bruce? You sure you can shoot that thing?"

"Anyone can hit a bunch of clay saucers. It's a skeet gun."

"Tomorrow, Bruce?" Jessica cut in. She felt him slipping away. "I thought we had a date."

"You must have your days mixed up, Jessica," he said, still looking at Ken. "So what do you say, Ken? Tomorrow afternoon?" Bruce looked at his watch. "Whoops, gang, excuse me, but I've got to make a call. Be right back."

Jessica studied her hands, tensely folded in her lap and looking like someone else's.

When he returned a few minutes later, Bruce was wearing a somber expression. "Sorry, gang, the party's over for this boy. I just called home, and Mom told me my grandmother's taken a turn for the worse. I've got to get back there."

"Bruce, that's terrible," Jessica offered quickly, aware of a vague insincerity she was feeling. "Your grandmother's been having a very rough time lately."

"Yes, she has. I knew you'd feel for her. Listen, I'll take you home first."

"You don't have to do that," called out a voice from the next table. Bruce turned around and faced Elizabeth, who continued, "Todd and I will take Jessica home. After all, Bruce," she added, her voice thick with uncharacteristic sarcasm, "I wouldn't want you to go so far out of your way."

Elizabeth thought she saw Bruce sigh with relief. "Thanks, Liz. It would make things a little easier for me, save me a little time."

"I'm sure it would, Bruce. Coming, Jessica?"

Before Jessica could protest, Elizabeth grabbed her by the arm and led her toward the exit. Jessica didn't even have a chance to give Bruce a goodnight kiss.

After she led Jessica to the backseat of Todd's car, Elizabeth took Todd aside and whispered, "I've got an idea you've got to help me with."

"Shoot."

"I want you to drive around for a half hour. Then I'm going to come up with an excuse so that we have to come back here."

"What for?"

"Just do it, please. If I'm right, the answer will be obvious."

Todd shrugged, but agreed to go along with her plan.

After a few silent minutes in the car, Jessica finally spoke up. She was angry at her sister for having taken her away from Bruce. "I could have gone with him, you know. Our house is on his way."

"But his grandmother is sick, Jess," Elizabeth noted. "I'm sure he wanted to get back to his house as soon as he could. Besides, he didn't object to our taking you."

Halfway to the Wakefield house and right on cue, Todd spoke up. "Uh, I hope you girls don't mind if I make a stop first. I just remembered Mr. Stillman said that Jupiter and Saturn would be visible near the moon tonight. It's so clear out, I figured I'd try to spot them."

"I didn't know you were interested in astronomy, Todd," Jessica said.

"Oh, yes, ever since I got a telescope when I was twelve," he answered quickly, coming up with the first thing that entered his mind.

Todd took his time driving up to the top of the hill overlooking Sweet Valley. He pulled off to the side of the road about a half mile from Miller's Point, the flat promontory that served as a local necking spot. The night sky was crystal clear, and they were able to see the twinkling lights of the entire valley below them. In the sky above and to the left was a creamy slice of half-moon. But there was nothing that could pass for Jupiter and Saturn.

"I'm getting bored," Jessica told Todd after five minutes of sky watching.

"Just give me a few more minutes. I know they're up there somewhere."

But five minutes more and Elizabeth could see that Jessica wasn't going to take any more stalling. She urged Todd to take them home. Ever the obliging boyfriend, Todd drove back down the hill and turned onto the street where the Wakefield girls lived.

About a block from their house Elizabeth smacked her forehead and announced, "I don't believe it. I left my keys on the table at Guido's!"

“I'll take you back," Todd offered. "Right now."

"I have my keys, Liz," Jessica said. "You can get yours tomorrow."

"No, someone might take them. I've got to get them now."

"Well, you can drop me off first, Todd. I'm tired," Jessica declared grumpily.

But Todd had already turned around and was headed back to the center of town. Jessica could only fume silently in the backseat.

If Jessica's anger was merely smoldering now, the next sight that greeted her made it blaze. When they returned to the restaurant, the black Porsche was parked right out in front.

Elizabeth's instincts had been right. "We'll be out in a minute," she told Jessica as Todd pulled in behind Bruce's car and helped her out. "Oh, look who's still here!" she added.

Jessica didn't need the prompting. Quickly recovering from her surprise at seeing the car, she announced, "I'll come in with you." She was out of the car and marching toward Guido's before Elizabeth could say a word.

As the two sisters entered the restaurant, they saw that the party was still going strong, and it looked as if they'd been the only ones to leave. Except for one person, that is, who'd also left and then returned. Only he'd brought along a visitor. Holding court at a table with Ken and John and their dates was Bruce-and an attractive redhead.

Jessica glared at the table. For a split second Elizabeth was afraid Jessica might have gone into shock, and immediately she regretted the drastic step she had taken to make her sister see the light.

But Elizabeth had underestimated her twin. Jessica wasn't in shock at all. The fog she'd been enveloped by had simply lifted, and she was now standing there looking for the first time at the real Bruce Patman. As a sly smile slowly stole over her face, she mapped out the stages of her revenge. The old Jessica was back. And Bruce Patman was finally going to see her in action.