THE
EDUCATION OF A QUEEN
671
.... "T·ur.n him in/'
I really don't think I heard her at first. I went on destroying
my Double Chocolate Delight until gradually the whipped cream
began tasting like cheese. I laid down my spoon.
"What did you say?"
((I'm
not taking any chances."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh but definitely! He's probably
a
sexual pervert or some–
thing."
"But he hasn't done anything-"
"How do you know? You don't know anything about him
before he came to live with you. All you know is he's from Sioux
Falls or someplace. He might be a rapist, even." She paused. "You
know, I'll bet he's an Indian."
"Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. Sioux Falls or something.
I
wouldn't let
an
Indian.sleep in my parlor. That's why I don't understand your
folks--"
"You're
prejudiced!"
I cried hotly, my voice echoing from
the damp, tiled walls, reeking of warm milk and sugar.
She eyed me haughtily. "I don't discuss politics, myself."
I went home feeling sick in my soul and my stomach. I wanted
to
tell my parents what Vasiliki had said, but they were out.
Jason was in bed though awake, of course, the little snoop. I went
in
and asked him where Joshua was.
"He's in the basement making a box for Vasiliki. Ooo! Lovey–
dovey!" Then he began to sing, "Daphne lu-uvs Josh-wa! Daphne
lu-uvs Josh-wa!"
I was terrified that Joshua might hear
him
down the hot–
air register, so I snapped, "Shut up or I'll lock your door."
He subsided at once, and I went into the bathroom. I wanted
to go right down to warn Joshua but I was ·afraid of three things.
One. That Jason might hear me and set up that yodel again.
Two.
That Joshua had already heard Jason and now' knew my
~ret
shame. Three. That I was going to be horribly sick to my
stomach.
.I threw up everything: Double Chocolate Delight complete
