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Show were Peppermint Monaa; I was sitting on the front row between ma and Grandma Ruby. Both of them wearing black, which did nothing for Grandma except add ten years to her age. She would have hated me thinking that, but I couldn't help it. I didn't have anything black, so I wore gray. I thought gray was just as depressing anyway. Russ' teacher told about his cheerful personality. She told about how good he was at math and how quickly he learned things. She even told how he never complained about his disease or his wheelchair. I was crying big tears, the kind that made puddles on my pleated, gray skirt. I didn't care about bald men, Barton's wiggling or Jake's borrowed tie anymore. I eared about my brave, little brother and I wanted him back. Grandma Ruby kept a black-gloved hand on my arm for support. It helped a little knowing she was there. She was always there for me, just like Jake had always been there for Russ. The doctor said what a determined boy Russ had been. He said his will to live had kept him alive longer than those in the medical profession had thought possible. He thanked our family for helping Russ. He said something about each of us. He said I had spent hours taking Russ on memorable walks and listening to him. Grandma Ruby squeezed my hand hard then. I cried harder too. Those walks had been special to me also. The doctor publicly thanked Jake for being a miracle worker for Russ. He said more stuff about Jake too. I didn't hear all of it. I was watching Jake. I was watching a grown man cry like a baby. For the first time in my life, I didn't hate Jake. I was glad he had been there for my brother. I felt bad for breaking into his house and always thinking the worst of him. Jake was hurting as bad as any of us were. I couldn't continue to hate a |
