"So?" Kimberly fairly shouted at Lou, "What did he say? What did you say? Tell me!"

Lou shook her head and yanked Kimberly�s arm, pulling her into the corner between shops. She bit back a smile, trying not to let her know just how excited she was about sharing Christmas dinner with Tyson. She couldn�t let on that he�d gotten to her . . . she had to play this game out . . . and she must win!

"If you just have to know, Kimberly," Lou sighed and rolled her eyes, "He asked if I had anything to do for Christmas dinner. I told him I was having dinner at the station and he wanted to know if I�d come over and be with ya�ll. I said fine. Happy now?"

Kimberly jumped up and down and squealed with delight! She was thrilled that her pesky brother of hers had finally wised up and quit playing games with all those girls . . . women. And she saw the look in his eyes whenever he looked at Lou, whenever she appeared. Tyson seemed to be completely smitten with her, and Kimberly was proud of the way Lou was handling Tyson�s affections. It tickled her pink that Lou acted so nonchalant, like she could care less.

"So, you�re really gonna come? We have to get you a dress or something . . . come on!" Kimberly shouted, her eyes wide with amusement.

"Oh, no, you don�t!" Lou replied, holding firmly to her arm, "I can�t go traipsin� around in any fancy get-up, Kimberly, and you know why." Lou felt guilty when she saw her friend�s disappointed and hurt expression. "Listen," Lou explained, placing a hand on her shoulder, "I would love to be able to dress up and all that. But, I can�t because if someone saw me . . . well, let�s just say I�d be movin� on faster than you could spit!"