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Show CHAPTER FIFTEEN Mother was practicing the next morning when I awoke. The music babbling under the closed door woke me before the sun reached into my room. She was up earlier than usual. Father must have already gone to the hospital. When I came downstairs, she jumped from the piano and hugged me as I stood rubbing my eyes. "It's awfully early, isn't it?" "Yes, but it's a beautiful day and I wanted to practice before it gets too hot." Mother shook me gently. "Wake up, sleepy girl. Time to be off and running." I was not used to such good cheer in the morning. Both my parents were early risers but were usually very quiet, almost solemn in the morning. Today Mother was almost gay, humming, mincing about the kitchen as she helped me with breakfast. "Aren't you going to stay while I eat?" I asked as she started back into the living room. "I would, love, but I have a lot to do. You can manage without me for once, can't you? Want a book?" "Mother," I looked up at her. "Who was that man who knew you last night? The one at the end?" Mother paused at the door. "I didn't know you noticed him, Annie. He's an old friend, someone I knew, well before you were born. I haven't seen him for years. "Mother, what was he doing at the hospital? He didn't look wounded and he didn't need therapy like Andrew." |