Tagged by Mara Purnhagen Page A

remarked to my dad. I was horrified. I looked over at Eli, who was just gazing out the window, smiling.
    â€œHe’s not—” I began to say, but Dad interrupted and asked the officer about the gorilla.
    â€œThe owner just discovered it,” the officer said. “It must have been done last night, but no one parks on this side, so he didn’t see it this morning. Same as the others.”
    Dad nodded. “That’s what? Three now?”
    â€œYeah. The school, the bank and now this. We found some spray-paint cans in the Dumpster out back. We’ll check ’em for prints, but if this guy is clever, he wiped ’em clean.”
    â€œI’m guessing he’s clever,” Dad said, “but check anyway. Thanks, George.”
    I made a mental note to myself that George was to be avoided at all costs in the future.
    We pulled away from the store. “It’s just the darndest thing,” Dad said. I wasn’t sure if he was talking to us or just talking out loud.
    â€œWhat’s that, Dad?”
    â€œWell, we got a report last night that one of these gorillas was spotted in Oklahoma. They e-mailed us a picture and it’s the exact same thing. But that’s hundreds of miles away. There’s no way the same person could have done both within the same day, but they’re absolutely identical.”
    â€œSounds like it’s more than one person,” I said.
    Eli was rummaging through his backpack, not really paying attention to us. I hoped he wasn’t trying to avoid talking to me. I hoped even more that he didn’t think I had told my dad we were dating. I knew my face was still red and I was kind of glad Eli wasn’t looking at me.
    â€œIt just doesn’t make sense,” Dad continued. “Why would one person focus the graffiti on three buildings in Cleary while another paints them in different towns and different states?” He sighed. “Are the kids talking about this at school?”
    I glanced at Eli, horrified that Dad was breaking our don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy in front of him. “We have a deal, remember?”
    â€œSorry, Kate,” he said. “You, too, Eli. Forget I mentioned it.”
    â€œNo problem, Mr. Morgan,” Eli said, zippering his backpack. I don’t think he even knew what my dad was apologizing for. “Turn here. I’m the third one on the left.”
    We pulled into the driveway of a two-story brick colonial. It was your basic ordinary house, with bright blue shutters and a topiary on the front porch shaped like three balls sitting on top of one another. It wasn’t the kind of place I thought Eli would live in, but what did I expect? Something painted black with a big red anarchy sign splashed across the garage?
    â€œThanks for the ride,” Eli said as he got out. “See you tomorrow, Kate.”
    â€œBye,” I said, hoping he didn’t think I was completely idiotic.
    I watched him as he walked up to the front door. He reached into his front pocket and retrieved a key. Dad pulled away, and I turned my head so I could watch Eli go into his house.
    â€œNice boy,” Dad said.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œHow long have you known him?”
    â€œSince sophomore year. We had English together.”
    â€œHe seems nice.”
    â€œYou said that.”
    If Dad was waiting for me to confess that I had a hidden crush on Eli, he was going to be waiting a long time. I did not discuss boys with my parents. Ever.
    â€œI think I did pretty well on my history paper,” I said, trying to keep my voice nonchalant. I wanted to talk about anything but Eli.
    Dad smiled. “I guess that means you like him.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou always talk about school so you won’t have to talk about the boys you like.”
    He made it sound like I had a hundred crushes, like I was always swooning over some guy.
    â€œHe has a girlfriend,” I