It was Sandy's turn to laugh. "I was eighteen once, trying to sneak around. I know what it looks like. And they're not nearly as clandestine as they think they are. So there'd be a problem with the parents?"

"I'm not sure how much I should say."

"I'll be discrete, I promise."

I shared with her what I knew about the Ellises, noting how that focused, penetrating look stole back over her face as I did.

"It's sweet of the girls to block for them." She sighed. "It shouldn't have to be like that. They shouldn't have to hide."

"Like we shouldn't hide?" I suddenly felt bad about my own...