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Show CHAPTER TWENTY ONE I was to start school on Thursday. On Monday morning of that week, Mother was dressed to go out when I came to breakfast. She was standing by the sink, her blue cup in hand. "How would you like to take a drive with me today, Annie? To Stull." I looked quickly at her and then at Father. Stull was where Andrew's family lived. "Is Andrew coming? Are we taking him home?" I sat down at the table. "Honey, no, Andrew can't go home. Not for a long time." Father reached out to pat my hand. "Well, then why ..." "I just thought we could go and talk to his family. Tell them about Andrew and ask why they don't ..." "Katherine," Father interrupted. "I know, I know, you don't agree, don't think it's any of my business." Mother paced around the table then turned to face Father. "It just makes me so mad, as you know, to see him, without anyone to care, even to bring him a decent set of clothes." "He has Annie," Father said quietly. "But his family doesn't know that. And that isn't what is keeping them away." "I know, maybe you're right," Father sighed and rubbed his face with both hands. "There is only so much you can do. Remember that. Don't make it worse." "How could I? Oh yes, maybe they could disown him." Mother laughed in the way she does when she is angry, as close to a snort as my mother ever comes. "Well, give it a try- It's a nice day for a drive." |