“How about a rain check?' She smiles, but I know it's not real because it doesn't crinkle her eyes. 'Sure. Some other time.'I nod and grab my car keys. Before I flip the light on in the grage, she's behind me, tugging on my backpack.'You want to go to school? Fine. But you're not driving. Give me the key.''I'm okay, Mom, really. I'll see you tonight.' I plant a quick kiss on her cheek and turn to the door again. 'That's nice. Give it to me.' She holds out her hand.I clench the key in my fist. 'You practically shoved that car down my throat Monday, and now youre taking the key. What did I do?''What did you do? Well, for starters, you used your face to stop a cafeteria door from swinging open.”

“You want me to give her a key?" the guy asked."I want you to give her a possibility," she told him, looking at my necklace again. "And that's what a key represents. An open door, a chance. You know?”

“What did I do?”“What did you do? Well, for starters, you used your face to stop a cafeteria door from swinging open.”

“Give me those keys.”“I will not!”“You win, Professor. I’ll buy you a car. Now give me the damn keys.”“I have a car.”“A real car. A Mercedes, a BMW, whatever you want.”“I don’t want a Mercedes or a BMW.”“That’s what you think.”“Stop bullying me.”“I haven’t even started.”

“Alice?”She spun toward the door, her skirts whirling softly. “Yes?” she forced out.“Do you know what I am holding in my hand?”“No.”“Care to guess?”“A pitchfork?” she asked in a stilted attempt at levity, hoping to invoke his earlier, playful mood.“No, my dear,” he answered drily. “A key to your room.”“What?”she breathed, aghast.“I should hate to have to use it.”“You have a key to this room?”“Mm-hmm.”She took a step toward the door, panic rising up in her throat. “You’re bluffing!”“Do you wish me to prove it?”

“...As we locked the front door behind us, she said, "How do you keep getting in without my knowing it? Did Jill give you a key without mentioning it to me?""Trade secret," I said."What trade is that? Cat burglar?""Yes, although I prefer the technical term.""What's that?""Music promoter.”