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Christie didn’t have an explanation for that All right, so ?"

"A few beers Don’t worry, I didn’t get drunk" Although she’d downed enough alcohol to leave her with a killer headache She figured the booze had affected her like this because she hadn’t been drinking much lately

"You were too drunk to drive"

Christie denied that She wasn’t stupid; she knew her limit

Teri didn’t seem to believe her "Then why is your car at the Pink Poodle?"

"It wouldn’t start" Christie didn’t want to think about that piece of junk Every day the engine fired to life was a day to be grateful for

A few ain but there were toowith her sad excuse for a car

"How’d you get hoaze shot toward the bedroo"

Teri had the good grace to look a little embarrassed "But it wouldn’t be the first tiue with that When it ca zero As Teri had once said, Christie attracted losers the way an ice cream truck attracts children Not that Teri should talk; she’d been fortunate enough to break the pattern of har relationships when she met Bobby Christie had been so sure that James was her Bobby… He wasn’t

Teri drank solad you weren’t alone over Christmas"

"I am, too It helped, you know?" Christie took a tentative sip of coffee

"I know," Teri said

"Instead of sitting ho sorry forfor someone else"

Teri didn’t appear to be completely mollified "You could’ve spent the day with Bobby and me Johnny was there, and Mom came by I wish you’d been there, too," she added plaintively

In retrospect it probably wouldn’t have hurt toto distract her sister

"She’s filed for divorce"

"Again?"

Christie had lost count of how h the years "I don’t understand why she uys" She had to be on her fifth or sixth husband Christie had stoppedan effort to reh to bother The fact was, she hadn’t seen her mother in more than a year

"I don’t knohy she et bombed this time Maybe because what’s-his-name wasn’t there"

"Did Bobby put her purse by the front door again?"

Teri grinned at the memory As Christie recalled, her mother had vowed never to return That vow, like every other one she’d less

"I think Bobby was tempted to show Mom the door, but for ood reed

"How’s Johnny doing?" Their little brother held a special place in Christie’s heart Between them, the two sisters had practically raised him

Christie was as proud as any ton Having Bobby Polgar as a brother-in-law hadn’t hurt Teri had never said as ree to add two and two Johnny never could have afforded the tuition and other expenses on his own, and there hadn’t been any scholarships

"He made the dean’s list"

"I’ratulate him

"Me, too" Teri sipped her tea "I’ve been worried about you"

"I know" Christie’s declarations of strength and independence were a lot of bravado Spending Friday night at the Pink Poodle was testaover wasn’t the way she wanted to live the rest of her life It wasn’t the way she intended to live it, either

"You knohat I was thinking?" Christie said a bit sheepishly, half afraid Teri would laugh

"No, tell"I handed out charity baskets with that group from the Methodist church at Christmas"

"Yes, you hed "Don’t sound so surprised"

Actually, she was Christie had expected those church people to make some comment about her lifestyle Instead, everyone was friendly and welcoh she wasn’t sure why

"I’ said as much, Christie held her breath and waited for Teri’s reaction

"Why do you say it like that?" Teri asked in a puzzled voice