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Chapter 6 Lights from inside the drug store splashed a series of parallelograms across the sidewalk in front of me. Guess they’re open, I thought. I paid no particular attention to the man who came from the shadows on the opposite side of the street to walk into the drugstore. I followed him in. Inside, I looked for the stationery supplies. There must be something there that I could use, something I could afford. I knew I couldn’t spend much so I was pleased when I reached for a small green moldable artwork clean- up cube. As my fingers touched the rubber eraser another hand beat me to it and lifted the artist’s eraser from the I turned and met the eyes of the tall, blonde haired man who’d taken my eraser, then spoken my name. “Yes?” I answered and wondered how this good- looking stranger knew my name. “Oh,” I felt my face flush warm as I finally recognized the tall, slim, teacher from the rival high school, the one who’d complimented me on my work while I was still a student. “Oh, Mr. Bartholic.” “Bob,” he Said, “Call me Bob. After all, you’re not in a ee ene a= -----9 school anymore, are you?” “No. No, I’m not.” My tongue suddenly felt large and awkward inside my mouth just because I was talking to this sophisticated, older man. “I’ve graduated,” my dignified tone backfired and sounded childish to my ears. My cheeks grew even warmer. “I even have a year of college.” I was almost stammering. 40 THE STONE HORSE I turned the corner and looked at the street ahead. shelf. I stood and stared at the disappearing object. “Barbara Simon?”