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"So this Todd guy," I say, trying not to let un sla a mile a minute inside my chest "When did Roberta meet him?"

"Oh, last week, at the dance"

"Dance?"

"The dance in the cafeteria"

We’d ended up not canceling the dance that had been planned for the night of Elizabeth’s death Sarah hadn’t been the only one to throw a fit at the suggestion--the student government had rebelled as well, and Rachel had caved The dance ended up being very well attended and there’d only been a single moht fans got all riled up over the music selection, and nearly came to bloith some residents who preferred Justin Timberlake

"Todd was there," Lakeisha says "He and Bobby started hanging out together that night"

"This Todd," I say "Do you know his last name?"

"No" Lakeisha looks htens "He lives in the building, though"

"He does? How do you know?"

" ’Cause Bobby never had to sign hi my breath "You met him?"

"Not met him, but Bobby pointed hih"

"What’d he look like?"

"Tall"

When Lakeisha doesn’t go on, I pros

"He hite," she says, apologetically "White guys…they all You know"

Right Everyone knows all white guys look the sa hi to do hat happened to Bobby?"

"I don’t know," I say And as I say it, I realize we’re at the building that houses the ca services So fast! I’m disappointed "Oh Well, Lakeisha, this is it"

Lakeisha looks up at the double doors without see really to see them Then she says to uy…pushed her, or anything, do you?"

My heart slows, then seeether

"I don’t know," I say carefully "Why? Do you? Did Roberta mention that he was…abusive?"

"No" Lakeisha shakes her head The beads click and rattle "That’s just it She was so happy Why would she do so so dumb?" Lakeisha’s eyes fill with tears "Why would she do a thing like that, if she’d found the guy of her dreas, exactly

11

Ooh La La La

Ooh La La La La

I said

Ooh La La La

Ooh La La La La

That’s what I say