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Show 109 to hurt. Parker sensed Dyna's reluctance to leave as soon as he pulled up at her house. He'd half expected her to run like a rabbit-maybe wanted her to-but she made no move to open the door or say anything. He didn't know what to say, either, so they just sat there after he cut the engine and let the silence grow sticky. "Parker?" Her voice was small now, repentant. "Huh?" She twisted a finger of her glove. "I know I shouldn't ask--" she was quietly pleading, "but Gram will die if I don't graduate. After that I don't care. I'll take what's coming. Could you wait and report me after graduation?" Parker hesitated, guessing at her motives. When he spoke, he turned in the seat to face her. "Dyna, I don't like having all this power over you. I just want to know why." Her lips tightened, but he kept on. "You're right, I'm stubborn. I want to know. What do you need so much you have to steal for it?" "Food," she said, looking him straight in the eye. "-and medicine. Medicare will pay the hospital bill." "Is your grandmother sick?" "I also have to rent a walker. I found crutches at the Salvation Army store for a buck, but I'm supposed to rent a walker." "What happened?" Dyna closed her eyes. "Once upon a time . . . " she began, sounding bitter, "I ran off to school and forgot to shovel the walk. Gram fell and broke her hip." "Oh, Dyna," Parker groaned, "why didn't you tell me? Is she in the hospital now?" Dyna nodded, struggling for control. "And you don't have anything in the house to eat?" he asked, thinking he'd make a dandy social worker with his finesse. "Look, man, you don't want to hear all this!" She lifted the door handle, but he stopped her from getting out. "I do too. Honest. Don't you have any money?" "I spent most of Gram's check paying bills. She signed her checks in the hospital, telling me to keep up with the bills as they came in. |