“So, do you think I should approach him somehow and tell him about it?” asked Eve.
Pete took a deep breath and paused, trying to collect his thoughts before replying. Eve was a fantastic
friend, but she was so weird. Sometimes downright creepy! Nothing about Eve could ever be simple or
straightforward. There was always some crazy, complex conspiracy at the root of everything. Why did Pete ever
choose to be friends with her?
Well, for one thing, he reflected, she was very attractive. Initially, he'd wanted to date her – until of
course, he got to know her a bit better. Eve had these bright sparkling, emerald eyes that were so vibrant and
full of life. Her long, fiery red hair added to the peppery, lively spirit that was uniquely Eve. She could be
such a colorful, interesting person, thought Pete. But some of the stuff she sometimes came up with was really
just out of left field. Her obsession with Paul Hodgson, her imaginary friend Tim – but don't you dare ever
call him 'Timmy,' because he doesn't like that! And now this business with her new teacher, Mister Sherman.
Pete's gut reaction was that this Mister Sherman business would not turn out well.
“I'd advise against it,” Pete finally said.
“Why?” Eve asked flatly.
“You don't know anything about Mister Sherman then, do you?” Pete asked.
“I told you,” said Eve. “I know he's the spitting image of Tim, from my childhood.”
“You said he looks older,” corrected Pete.
“Fine,” huffed Eve. “The spitting image of Tim from my childhood, but all grown up now.”
“Tim was just an imaginary friend,” said Pete. “Mister Sherman is very real. And there's also something else
you should know about him. He used to teach across town, at a school my cousin went to. I've heard some
stories about him. I don't think you really want to mention all this stuff to Mister Sherman.”
“You're not telling me anything Pete,” sighed Eve. “You can't scare me with vague ambiguities. If you know
something, I need the details.”
Pete reluctantly admitted to himself that Eve was considerably more intelligent than he himself was. If she
had all the facts, she could probably make a perfectly logical conclusion on her own. But some of the times,
the strange leaps of logic Eve took seemed counter-intuitive and positively baffling to poor Pete.
“Okay, Eve. Here's why I don't think you should tell Mister Sherman about any of this stuff...”