Alison drove me home after school so we could tell Mom where we were going. I wasn't sure how my mother would react to my friend's need to visit Suzanne but was surprised when she smiled.

"That's a lovely idea," Mom said. "I'm sure she could use the company."

I wanted to ask my mother if she had any news about the creature, but she was already occupied. By Alison's new car.

A Mustang convertible, no less. Mom's favorite. Alison was given a shiny red car for her ...