After school that day, Sandy was still thinking about Annie.
Earlier, at lunch time, she had bumped into the little girl out in the corridor. Annie had shown no sign of recognition then. But then again, the Annie she knew would do the same unless she wanted Sandy to do something.
There was another person whom Sandy could consult about Annie, another to whom Annie's odd behavior would be of great interest, someone who likely would have some information on the little girl.
No, it was not Keith McDowell. Sandy would not want to approach that boy for fear of being subjected to another interrogation.
Sandy easily found the person she sought for. "Hey, Connie!"
The redhead was talking to two boys out in the corridor. Nevertheless, Connie put on a big cheerful grin and greeted back, "Sandy! Hey, what's up?"
"Oh, uh..." That was the glamor queen after all, so a bit of nervousness was expected of someone who was not summoned into her presence. And she was holding court at that moment. "I was wondering about Annie..."
"Oh, if you're looking for her, she's still in class." Connie pointed at the classroom of 9-C. "Talking to Sabine, last I saw."
"Is it really Annie who came back today?" Sandy asked.
Connie nodded. "Yes, it is her." She dismissed the boys from her presence. Then she gestured Sandy to follow her.
Sandy chased after Connie, failing to notice the looks of disappointment on the boys. "But Annie's so..." she began when she caught up.
"Different?" Connie finished for her.
"Yeah."
Connie stopped and turned to her. "Buy me a drink and I'll tell you all about it."
Sandy hesitated.
Connie laughed. "I'm just joking. I know money's tight for you."
"Well, yeah," Sandy admitted. No chance she was going to get a free drink off Connie that day it seemed.
"Let's take a walk," Connie suggested.
They went outside. It was a cold afternoon. The wind was light and the sky was gloomy. Not a pleasant day for a walk. Which was why there were not many students around to overhear their conversation as the girls strolled close to the school wall.
Connie was comfortable in her red coat with a yellow scarf around her neck. Sandy zipped her jacket up to her neck.
"It's definitely Annie," Connie said, "But she's acting different."
"I know," Sandy added, "she's dressed differently too and she didn't recognize me."
"She has problems recognizing people," Connie said. She stopped to inspect a bush. "She takes a moment to remember names. Maybe some memory problems due to her accident."
"Did she do anything strange today?" Sandy asked.
Connie turned back with a bright smile. "I thought you'd never ask. She certainly did something different today." She leaned close and whispered, "I saw her naked today."
"What?"
"In the gym locker room." Connie grinned happily. "Today, she actually took a shower. Annie never takes a shower after gym but today, she did. I got to see her naked!"
The redhead glanced left and right before continuing, "She's really flat-chested! And down below..." Connie told Sandy the delicious details of Annie's physical secrets.
At the end of it, Connie laughed. Sandy tried to follow but did not find Connie's story funny enough to make her laughter real.
Connie abruptly stopped and frowned. "Yeah, it isn't funny," she admitted, "It's just not funny if she's not embarrassed about it. The Annie I know would have died of embarrassment if she was seen naked. Now that would have been funny.
"This Annie, she just pulled off her gym clothes and jumped in the shower as if nothing was wrong." Connie looked away.
"But you're sure it's Annie?"
Connie nodded. "Very sure. Maybe this is some new trick of hers."
"Maybe," Sandy uttered.
Connie balled a fist. "I'll get her someday." She turned to Sandy. "You'll help me when the time comes, won't you?"
"Well..." Sandy hesitated.
"I'll pay, of course," Connie added.
Sandy's hesitation disappeared. "Okay."
***
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