Two uneventful weeks passed. The spring rains had abated and the sun was making a welcome appearance each day. Buds began poking their shiny new heads from the tips of the tree branches in the town, and more people could be found raking, digging and planting for the coming summer. School filled most of Tammi's days with routine, and helped squash the disappointment of having Allen avoid her. He was pleasant enough when they met by accident, but there was no interest on his part, it seemed, to do much more than say hello. She spent the usual time with the rest of the gang at Duffy's, changing the subject or sitting quietly every time Allen's name came up.

      "Hey, instead of everybody guessing all the time," Martin garbled, through his grilled honey bun, "I'll just have a talk with him."

"That's what started all this, stupid," Christine protested.

"Boy," he said, wiping his mouth and slumping back, "I've sure acquired a lot of abuse from you guys lately. Blabbermouth. Impossible. Stupid! What's next?"

"Well it all fits," Christine pointed out.

Peter put up his hands, pleadingly. "Okay. Okay. Let's keep it friendly. Is there any real reason for him to stay mad for so long?"

"Allen just hasn't looked right lately," Tammi spoke up softly, "he's polite enough, but something's bugging him I think."

"Gee, it still can't be over your - your secret. Can it?" Gloria asked.

"Gotta be somethin' else," Martin affirmed. "He's not a grudge bearer. Heck he didn't even get mad at me when I asked him about the vamp-"

      Gloria directed a sharp jab to Martin's ribs and hushed him up.

"Oooh, god. That hurts you know!"

Tammi glanced quickly around the table, feeling embarrassed. The rest tried to look just about everywhere else except at Tammi. Annie came by and inquired if they wanted anything else and received a muted chorus of no's. Quite a change from their usual noisy comments.

Christine broke the silence once again. "Somebody should just ask him point blank - not you Martin."

"Not you Martin," he mimicked, rubbing his sore ribs, "why don't you ask him Christy, you've always got a lot to say."

"Cool it Martin," Peter warned. "Christine's right. We should just out and ask him." He thought for a moment. "First one to see him. How's that?"

The group muttered a less than enthusiastic agreement and after a few moments, split up, waving goodbye to Annie and Duffy as they trooped out.

*****

Vladia was quite pleased with the progress she had made over the past few weeks. Her plan was moving along quite well and she was eager to move on to the next step. She slid her hands easily over her hips; fervently wishing the mirror would reveal a reflection. She knew she was stunning in appearance, an asset that had led many an unsuspecting victim into her clutches, but never being able to see herself left her with the feeling that some part of her totality was missing. With a sigh, she smoothed the black gown over her hips. Well there was one unsuspecting victim for whom she didn't need to see herself and he would be ready very soon for the final phase of the plan.