OCR Text |
Show 19-4 "Why?" I knew immediately I shouldn't have asked. I didn't really care. "Well, after all, you said yourself that he isn't very nice-looking. And all that is best forgotten." "By whom? Andrew can't forget. Why should I?" "He's not family, Annie. Really. You didn't even know him before. It would be different if it was your uncle or Darby's cousin." "I'll bet you wouldn't go, even if it were your family. Andrew's family doesn't come. He's lonely. They all are." "Well, it's not your job to . . ." Darby stood up and flicked at the lilac bushes. "Why don't you just read Frankenstein instead?" He turned and grinned at me. "Have you all been talking about me? And Andrew?" My voice rose. "We're just worried about you, Annie. Don't get mad." Emily stood up too. "I am mad. I can't believe that you're so mean." "Come on, Emily. Annie has obviously lost what little sense of humor she ever had. She prefers to talk to the freaks. Let's go." I was shaking. And crying. As I turned to go into the house, I saw Mother standing at the door, looking down the street after Emily and Darby. "Annie?" She opened the door and I ran to her and put my arms around her. She stroked my hair as I clung to her. She reached down and wiped my face with her dust cloth. "I heard, Annie. They don't understand. Don't worry." "I don't care. I don't care what they say." I sobbed through the words. "Why do people say these things? They're not freaks. Andrew is not a freak. He is beautiful. More than they'll ever be." Mother walked me into the living room, still patting and wiping. I couldn't stop crying. |