Emancipated by M. G. Reyes Page B

wanna join us on the ver-ahn-dah , my dear?”
    â€œYou gonna smoke that in the open air? Hey, maybe you want to invite some cops, too?”
    Candace laughed. “Relax. We’re not big smokers. Two tokes and then we turn into pumpkins.”
    They headed upstairs. There was only one area of the balcony that wasn’t occupied by couples already well on the way to hooking up. Turning their backs on the ocean, the three housemates tucked themselves into a corner. Grace lit up the misshapen cigarette and took a drag. Candace relaxed in anticipation as Grace exhaled slowly through smiling teeth. Candace took the joint from her fingers, inhaled, and passed it to Paolo. “Oooff. I’d forgotten.”
    Paolo drew in the smoke and held it there for a couple of seconds. “Been a long time?”
    Grace gave a beatific grin. “We don’t get out much.”
    â€œWell, Tina’s not here to stop you,” he reminded them.
    Candace pulled a lopsided grin. “True. She’s far away in San Antonio, getting bugged by Grace’s bratty little brothers.”
    â€œBut you,” stressed Paolo, “you can get out all you want. Who’s to stop you?”
    Grace nodded. The edges of her senses were already fuzzy, tingling. “I know. Suddenly, it isn’t as much fun.”
    Paolo sniggered. “I’m glad you said it.”
    â€œI didn’t pick you for a giggler,” Candace remarked. She batted her eyes at Paolo, sophisticated disdain. For a second, Grace thought, she looked just like her mother.
    Candace continued. “You never can tell who’s going to be the type to giggle when they smoke,” she said. She paused lengthily, for obvious dramatic effect. “Personally, I prefer men who can still keep their cool.”
    â€œThat’s a great impression of your mom, Candace. I can just see her saying that to the Dope Fiend. I liked you so much better before you giggled, dahhhhling .”
    Paolo burst into laughter, joined after a second by Grace.
    If Candace was annoyed, she hid it with consummate skill, and ignored the comment entirely. “Don’t get me wrong. The whole emancipation thing. It rules.”
    â€œYeah,” Grace said. “It totally does.”
    â€œBut I hate laundry. And having to whine at people to clean up after themselves.”
    Paolo laughed harder. “Oh, I get it. This is all part of your cunning scheme to get me to do the dishes.”
    Candace said, “Yeah, lazy brat, could you do the frickin’ dishes, already? ‘Cause you’re something of a disappointment, Mr. King.”
    â€œAnd there I was thinking I was all about the eye candy for you babes.”
    â€œYou and Lucy. You could do your dishes. Like, ever .”
    â€œOkay, okay!” Tears came to his eyes. “Can we be serious for a second?”
    â€œWhat makes you think we’re not being serious?”
    â€œNo, but really.” He managed to bring his chuckles under control. “Look, you guys must have an opinion: Does Lucy like me?”
    A little too quickly, Grace answered, “No.”
    He sighed. “I was afraid of that.”
    Candace said, “Did she ever act like she likes you?”
    â€œNo. Kind of the opposite.”
    Grace rolled her eyes. “There’s your clue.”
    â€œI guess.”
    She continued. “I hope you don’t want to be a detective when you graduate.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be my first choice.”
    â€œOkay, good,” Grace said. “I’m just saying. I mean, I assumed you’d be sticking with the tennis.”
    He shook his head firmly. “I’m gonna be a lawyer.”
    Grace peered at him, surprised, amused. “Really? What kind?”
    â€œHuman rights.”
    Grace knew her amazement was showing on her face. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. Paolo went on. “Yeah. I’m real interested in all the abuses that go on in our