That’s how to handle it, Eddie thought. Don’t act anxious. Let Teena be anxious. Then maybe she’ll even offer to bring along a couple of sandwiches or some fruit.
“Oh, I’d love to go,” Teena said eagerly, “but I’m just finishing the dishes. Come on in.”
“I’m in kind of a hurry.”
“I’ll only be a minute.” She pushed the screen door open for him. “I’ll make us some sandwiches.”
“Stay here, Sandy,” Eddie said. “Sit.” The dog minded, although he looked a bit rebellious.
Eddie went inside and followed Teena to the kitchen. He felt triumphant about the sandwiches.
Teena tossed him a dish towel. “You dry them,” she said.
“Who, me?”
“Why not? You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? I can make the sandwiches while you dry the silverware.” She smiled, putting tiny crinkles in her small, slightly upturned nose. She wore her hair in a pony tail. Even though her hair was blond all year long, it seemed even lighter in the summer. Eddie couldn’t tell whether the sun had faded it, or whether her deep summer tan simply made her hair look lighter by contrast. Maybe both.
“Hello, Eddie,” Mrs. Ross said, coming into the kitchen. “Looks like Teena put you to work.”