Cristy sang as she skipped home. It was nearly the end of school and she was thinking about what she'd do all summer. Without really thinking she waved to old Mrs. Mauser, who sat on her porch an watched the kids on nice days. She jumped aside as Timmy Crutcher rode past her on his bike, nearly knocking her over.

"Hi!"

She looked up to she a pretty girl in the yard where the peirsons had lived.

"Hi!"

"I'm Lesley. We are just moving in. It's  a nice town so far, other that that boy!" she sighed.

Cristy grinned. "Don't worry about him! He's just scared. He's smaller than the other boys so he's a bit bratty. Get to be his friend right off and not the other boys. THEY are bullys!"

"Really?"

"Oh yeah! They'll all want to be your friend but, if you're friends wityh Timmy he can tell you who is nice and who isn't. His dad is the banker."

"Okay, and what about you?"

"I'm Cristy Winkler. But you're better off not knowing me. My folks are dead and i live with an uncle who is gone a lot. Only a few speak to us."

Why is that?"

"Because we are poor!"Cristyspat.

"Really? Dad always says they are two types of people- good and bad. ney is not important. See, some with money don't pays their bills any more than some without any do. The good ones, rich or not, are the ons who honor their word."

"He won't be popular here long thinking like that! The mucky mucks think they are better than thee quarters of us, and i am very near the bottom!"

"I like you anyway, and i am sure Dad will too. My mother died when i was born."

Cristy talked to the new girl as long as she could, and still make it home before her uncle arrived.

"So Cristy. How was your day?"

"Good. I got an A again in history and met a new frend after school."

"Who?"

"Lesley is the new bankers daughter."

"Not going to be a long friendship."

"I'm not so sure. She says her Dad says there are two types of people. Good and not. Income isn't a part of either. She said he says good people are those who keep their word and pay their bills as they promise."

"We can only hope!"

"Seriously Les! Just because we've been friends since fourth grade does not mean you can do this!"

"Cristy! It's just a computer and you know you need one! It's a way to show you how much i appreciate the way you reteach me. If it wasn't for you i wouldn't be in ollege, let alone graduating today!"

"Maybe, but i didn't do it for that!"

"I know that!" Lesley laughed and hugged her. "Just like you didn't teach me for benefit i didn't buy it for a benefit."

"What's next?"

"Guess we'd better pick up Tim at the airport, then stop for food, he's always hungry! Then drop him at his house, then i go home to bed!"

Lesley sighed as she turned and grabbed her purse. "Tough to be rih and drive a ferrari and live in a mansion."

Cristy laughed as she grabbed her own purse and keys nd locked up. Heading up the steps she chuckled again. "You should know! Of course, you just drive a vette!"

Cristy drove a ten year old suv, an expedition, and lived in  a basement apartment. She hit the remote as Lesley reached the car. "I think you two are only friends so i can drop and pickup you and your things when you travel!"

Lesley laughed as Cristy checked and pulled out onto the street.

She'd automatically hit the gps as she started the car. She knew the way but hers would reroute her if there was a traffic jam. Since she tended the yard and collected rent checks she got her apartment for two hundred and electric, which was never over thirty dollars.

As she drove she smiled. Her apartment was two bedrooms, a bath, kitchen, and living room. There was only one other basement apartment and he traveled a lot. upstairs there were six on the main floor and four on second. Lesley was talking about getting a new bedroom suite in a lighter wood.

"Don't forget your friend if you do!" she teased.

"That's right! You like dark woods. It's yours if you geta trailer and haul it off. I'll even pay, and for your help, if you'll take some things to the dump for me. I need to clean the attic out. I'm having it redone for my housekeeper."

Cristy agreed as she had onlt a bed,rug, night stand, and chest in her room. Her uncle had set a trust up for her college but had died of cancer just before she finished her fourth year of college. He'd been ill a long time but hadn't told her. After his bills were bed she was lucky toget the few things she did. She'd sold the house, furnishings, and his nice car. She didn't mind. She hadn't wanted to be a lawyer anyway and she'd gotten a job at a firm as a legal researcher.

Cristy signaled, moved right, and exited on the airport road. Soon she was in front of the terminal where Tim waited. A sky cap loaded his bags and they were off.

"Where to ladies?"

"To eat!" both sang.

"Godd! Now! When are one of you gorgeous ladies going to make an honest man out of me?"

"Second Tuesday of next week friend! Who wants to mess up a good friendship?"

"Maybe next time i ask."