Neil called this afternoon.  

"Aren't we popular?"  Grandma said when I rushed across the condo to grab my phone before it kicked him to voicemail.  That would be bad.

"Hey."  I said. 

"Ethan?"  

"Yeah, it's me.  What's up?"

"I've just landed in Florida."  Neil said.  "Do you want to come over to my place for a day or so?"

"Adam said you weren't coming til next week."  

"Since when have you trusted that guy?  Didn't you read my letter?"

My mind went to the white envelope, unopened, and still in my beach bag.  "Um...no."

"Well, can you come?" 

"Let me ask."  I put the phone up to my shoulder, so the sound wouldn't go through to Neil, and asked, "Can I visit a friend from school tomorrow?"

"What's her name?"  Grandma asked.

"His name is Neil."  

"You're going to visit a boy?"

"Yeah, we're room--"  What was I thinking?! I shut up quickly.  "We're pretty close."  I covered badly and took a gulp of water from my water bottle.  

"Have you slept with him?"

The water seemed to have lost its will to go down, and I ended up on the floor, coughing and spluttering.  "Ethan?"  Neil said from my phone, which was now on the floor.  "Are you alright?"

"I take that as a 'no'."  Grandma said as I grabbed my phone and put it back to my ear.  

"Yeah, I can come."  I told him.  "Can I get your address?"

"Don't bother."  Neil replied.  "I'll send a car over for you.   Adam already told me the location of your grandmother's condominium."  

"Ok."  I said.  "What time should I be ready?"

"Eight o' clock in the morning, if that's alright."  He said.  "It's a little less than an hour drive.  And, Ethan?"

"Yes?"

"Please bring everything you'll need for several days."

"Why?"

"Just be prepared for the worst."  He said seriously.   "Don't forget your swimsuit."