A cold front had blown in during the night. The wind still shrieked around the trailer. Outside the sky was just beginning to turn soft blue. Lolly felt the small compact body of Mitzi snuggled up against her. The sound of the wind frightened Mitzi. Around two a.m. Mitzi had crawled into bed with her. It was a tight fit in a twin bed. Gently, Lolly stroked Mitzi's short hair. It had finally grown out enough for a Pixie cut. On Lolly's stomach Fluff had his paws wrapped around Puccini. His green eyes met Lolly's. Puccini was captured prey. If Mitzi saw the cat with her beloved bear there would literally be hell to pay. With one swift move, Lolly extracted Puccini from Fluff. The cat lunged for his lost prey, but he was so fat, he rolled off the bed and hit the floor with a thud. He glared up at Lolly, stuck his tail straight up and stalked out of the room.

Careful not to wake Mitzi, Lolly crept out of bed and went to take her shower. She hoped Max hadn't used all the hot water again.

After breakfast it was time to pick out her armor of the day. It was going to have to be some really tough armor given the fact that Munch was furious with her. Besides the library, he was her haven. What would it be like to go through an entire day without Munch? She ran her hand over her hairless head. On cold days she had to wear a cap or a hat. If she didn't the cold would give her headache. Since she didn't have the built in protection of eyelashes, the wind would blow dust into her eyes. Usually she wore Pa’s favorite army hat, but Munch knew it was Pa's hat. It might set him off. She didn't dare making Munch more angry than he already was with her or Pa. She would have to pick out something else.

Mitzi stood beside her, pondering the contents of the closet. She asked, "Which shirt did Munch give you for Christmas last year? Oh, here it is." She pulled out the shirt with a screen printed reindeer on it.

"I can't wear that its not Christmas."

"It might make Munch like you again if you wore it."

Lolly argued, "It would make Munch think I am sucking up."

"Um, Grandma Toady doesn't like that word." Mitzi dropped her voice to a whisper, "She washed Max's mouth out for saying it."

Actually the word had started with an F, but Lolly would not even attempt to argue that point. Lolly took the shirt. Maybe wearing it might help.

Next Mitzi selected brown corduroy pants the same color as the deer. "Wear your chucks, they always make you feel braver. You need to be brave today, Lolly." She did indeed. "You have to wear a cap today cause its cold. The black one with the green stripe would be cool." It was, though Lolly felt she it too looked a little too much like Christmas too.

"Thanks Mitzi."

"Your welcome. Munch thinks I have a good eye for fashion, yesterday he told me he would hire me as his assistant.”

So Munch had even talked to Mitzi, but he had said a word to her. That just hurt. Last night after talking to Max, Lolly had wanted to call Munch, but it just felt too soon. Lolly pulled the cap off its hook and put it on her head. It was a little scratchy. Pa’s army hat was so soft. Now to get dressed to face the World.

Max was waiting by the front door when Lolly came out of her room. He opened the door for her. The wind outside had died down. To Lolly's surprise, Max walked with her to the bus stop. He had not done that since he started Junior High. Not a word passed between them, still Lolly was grateful for this kindness. Once they reached the bus stop, Max separated from her and went to be with his friends.

Bleakly, Lolly stood alone staring at nothing. Her mind was racing with possible disasters. Munch might never speak to her again. He might shun her forever. Ostracized, she would be. A freak alone in the world. There was a slight movement beside her. She focused her eyes and turned. It was Kevin, Max’s tall blonde friend.

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“Hey Lolly. I like your cap.” He smiled. He had a nice smile. “Uh, Max told me he was going to be in Munch’s show.”

“He is?” This was UNEXPECTED.

“Yeah.” He ducked his head a little and quietly asked, “I was wondering if Munch might need another model.”

“He might.”

“If he does, tell him I am 6ft 1 and I wear 28X42 jeans. I know I’m a bean pole.” He turned a little red as he looked down at her. He seemed to be apologizing for his appearance. Lolly knew that feeling. He asked, “You got a pen?”

“Yeah.” She pulled one out of her back pack and handed it to him.

From his notebook, he tore a little shred of paper and wrote his phone number down on it. “Could you give my number to Munch, if he says yes.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks Lolly.”

“You’re welcome.”

In the distance came the roar of the school bus. Everyone moved to the street. The bus came to a squealing halt. Mrs. Anderson, swished open the doors. Lolly took her regular seat. The bus was really cold this morning. When everyone was seated and shivering, Mrs. Anderson said, “Sorry kids, the heaters busted.” The bus lurched forward.

As more kids got on the bus, Lolly began to feel more nervous. Soon she would have to face Munch or not face Munch. She really hoped he wasn't going to avoid her all day. The last stop was Trevor. He stood by the road bundled up in a brown and tan CPO jacket. Mrs. Anderson opened up the doors. Trevor bounced up the steps. He gave Lolly a quick grin and went to his usual seat. Though she had braced herself for this scenario, dissappintment filled her. Had she really hoped Trevor would sit beside her again. Yes. This now sucked.

Too soon Lyndon Baines Johnson Highschool appeared. The instant Mrs. Anderson opened the bus doors, Lolly got off and headed straight for the cafeteria. If Munch was not at their table, then she would know he was still really mad. While she didn't expect him to be fine and dandy, she did hope he was on his was to okay. She rounded the corner and saw him at their table scribbling hard on his sketch pad. Relieved, but cautious, she walked to the table. Munch did not look up or acknowledge her existence. She sat down across from him anyway. Munch’s body tensed, but he didn't get up and go to another table. Out of her back pack she pulled the book, Up a Road Slowly, by Irene Hunt. She tried to read, but she could not focus. If Munch was not going to talk to her at all, she needed to know, NOW. She said, “Max’s friend, Kevin, wants to know if you need another model.”

Munch actually look up from his sketch pad. “Is he that the long tall one?”

“Yep.”

“Ooo, now that would be a challenge.” Munch liked, no loved creative challenges.

Lolly slid the piece of paper with Kevin’s number across the table. He took it and said, “Thanks.” The bell rang. Even though they did not talk, Munch walked with her to her locker.

*

That evening while Lolly sat at the kitchen table cursing the creation of Geometry, the phone rang. She went to the phone and answered. Her hello was met by an operator asking, “You have a collect call from Trinia Phelps, will you accept.”

“Yes.”

There was a slight click and then a high squeal. “Oh, baby it is so good to hear your voice! How you been?”

“Hey Mama. I’ m good. I got A's on my report card except for stupid Geometry." Grades never interested her mother, so Lolly said, "Munch is having a fashion show. Our whole family is going to be in it, even Max!"

“Wow, that is so cool. Munch is some kind of talented. I will have to hook him up with a clothing designer I know.” She laughed. Lolly laughed too, even though she couldn’t figure out what, if anything, was funny. Mama asked, “Guess what?”

There were three answers to this question. One, Mama was going to be an extra on a TV show, if her footage had not been cut. Two, she needed money. Three she was in a play. Lolly refused to guess. “What?”

There was a dramatic pause and then she said, “I just got a call from my agent. They cast me as a grocery clerk. I actually have LINES! I get paid by the word. Can you believe it?”

Lines, she had never gotten lines before. “That is so cool Mama! I am really happy for you.”

“Thanks. Filming starts next week. I AM SO EXCITED! I will have a scene with Angie Dickinson. Maybe some day I will have my own show like her. Wouldn’t that be cool?”

“Yeah, that would be.” It was hard for Lolly to muster enthusiasm. When Mama called she was either desperate or flying high. Her dreams and her confidence were boundless or they had completely flat lined. In the background, Lolly heard a man’s voice.

Mama said, “Okay, sweetie. I got to go. It was so good to talk to you.”

“You too.”

“Love you!”

“Love you too." There was a click and the line went dead.

Grandma Toady came into the kitchen and asked, "Well, what’s the next big thing in Trinia’s life?”

“She got a part in Police Woman and she has lines. She's gonna get paid by the word."

Grandma Toady shook her head. A sly smile crept across her face. She said, "Too bad I don't get paid by the word, if I did we'd all be rich."

Lolly laughed, "Yeah, we would be."

"Hey now!" Grandma Toady wrapped her arms around Lolly and gave her a big hug.