“My;” she said after a moment。 “Dont you sound like a teenager。”
“Im sorry;” I whimpered; because I knew I was hurting her feelings。 I sat up and said; “Mom;
all those years I liked him? I never really knew him。 All
I knew was that he had the most beautiful eyes Id ever seen and that his smile melted my
heart like the sun melts butter。 But now I know that inside
hes a coward and a sneak; so Ive got to get over what hes like on the outside!”
My mother leaned back and crossed her arms。 “Well;” she said。 “Isnt this something。”
“What do you mean?”
She chewed the side of one cheek; then moved over to chew the other。 At last she said; “I
shouldnt really discuss it。”
“Why not?”
“Because …I just shouldnt。 Besides; I can tell there are things you dont feel fortable
discussing with me…。”
We stared at each other a moment; neither of us saying a word。 Finally I looked down and
whispered; “When Chet and I were fixing up the yard; I
told him how we didnt own the house and about Uncle David。 He must have told the rest of
the family; because the day before the Loskis dinner
……… Page 90………
party I overheard Bryce and his friend making cracks about Uncle David at school。 I was
furious; but I didnt want you to know because youd think
they were only inviting us over because they felt sorry for us。” I looked at her and said; “You
just seemed so happy about being invited for dinner。”
Then I realized something。 “And you know; youve seemed happier ever since。”
She held my hand and smiled。 “I have a lot to be happy about。” Then she sighed and said;
“And I already knew they knew about Uncle David。 It
was fine that you talked about him。 Hes not a secret or anything。”
I sat up a little。 “Wait … how did you know?”
“Patsy told me。”
I blinked at her。 “She did? Before the dinner?”
“No; no。 After。” She hesitated; then said; “Patsys been over several times this week。
Shes … shes going through a very rough time。”
“How e?”
Mom let out a deep breath and said; “I think youre mature enough to keep this inside these
four walls; and Im only telling you because …
because I think its relevant。”
I held my breath and waited。
“Patsy and Rick have been having ferocious fights lately。”