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Show 8-5 "Yes, Mother, I understand." "I'm so tired. I'd better get home." She leaned over to pick up her purse from the floor of the porch. "A few days and all this will be over. And I'll ask Lawrance to try to come out and see you tomorrow." She turned to look at me. "Do you miss him so much? Is that the problem?" "No. Mother, I'm all right. Really." We both stood up and I reached up to put my arms around her. She hesitated a moment and then hugged me tightly. We stood for a moment until I pulled away. "Give Grandmother a hug. And Daddy a kiss. And Fidelio a pat." "Any other orders, Miss?" Mother looked down at me. The darkness separated us, held up apart now. "Don't worry about me. Get a good night's sleep." "You too, Annie." She kissed my forehead and I her cheek. Mother went in to say good-bye to Ruth and I sat again on the bench and looked over the yard and street. I stayed there after Mother drove off. I had never felt sorry for my mother before but I did now. She believed and trusted me, trusted that I would remain here and be happy. Her only fear was that I was missing my father. She had no idea that I was lying to her, that tomorrow I would disobey her. For while we talked in the quiet darkness, I had decided to go tomorrow to see Andrew. |