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Show in my father's house/ 116 was flushed and her eyes bright with excitement or fear. She bent and tugged Danny's quilts up to his chin. "Now you stay covered, and wear your long underwear if it rains or snows. I won't be here to take care of you if you get pneumonia again." Danny broke into hoarse sobs. "I don't want to, Mama! The kids make fun of me." He threw his arms around her and gripped her fiercely. "Now, don't worry. I'll see all of you when school is out --or before. Mind Aunt Sarah. And remember your prayers." My mother rushed to her room for some forgotten article, while Aunt Helga led me to the car. She was weeping silently. My fear mounted, for Aunt Helga was the one who didn't cry -- as though my mother had taken all the tears and Aunt Helga all the strength. "Will Daddy drive us?" I asked. My father made everything better, whether a broken doll or a sliver under your fingernail, and he could make you laugh while he fixed it. But when Aunt Helga looked at me, I knew he wasn't coming. She was leaving Isaac and Deanna and my father, too, so she could be near my mother. She opened the car door and motioned me inside. "Get in." I hung back. Margot and Hugh -- both near my age -- were already in the car, crying. "I want to see Daddy," I protested. Aunt Helga, sighing and sobbing all at once, lifted me into |