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Show 19-5 I sat on the rocking chair and rocked violently, letting the tears fall on my shirt. I could feel them, hot on my hands. Mother went back to her rubbing and polishing, watching me as she worked. "Remember, they haven't had the chance you have had, to meet and get to love Andrew. You can't really expect them to know what it took you a while to find out.' "But they're so hateful. They've both changed this summer. I don't even like them any more. I've lost my friends." Mother sat back on her heels and wiped her forehead with her sleeve. "Maybe so. And maybe just for a time. Anyway, you can't change them. Come on, we've got work to do. You don't want Andrew to think we live in a dirty house, do you?" Mother smiled at me and I rocked for a few more minutes and then picked up my dustcloth again. As I worked at the furniture in the living room, I imagined Emily and Darby meeting Andrew, who would refuse to speak to them, saying that he wanted nothing to do with anyone who had hurt his best friend, Annie. I also imagined the first day of school, when I would refuse to speak to them, turning my back and moving across the playyard. As the afternoon moved on, I grew more and more nervous about seeing Andrew. Nothing looked right. Mother would not use the best linen tablecloth although she was using the best dishes. I found an old stain on the cloth, one that would not come out, and insisted that we use the best linen. Mother refused. Then the flowers drooped, the daisies and roses I had picked from the garden. I couldn't get them to stand erect. I took them back into the kitchen and asked Mother to fix them. She turned from the table where she was mixing the salad. "Not just now, Annie. I will in a minute." |
