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Show 19-6 "But he'll be here in a minute. It doesn't look right." Mother glanced at the clock over the stove. It was 5:30. "They won't be here for another half hour." She looked at me. "Settle down, Annie. Everything will be fine." "No, it won't," I muttered, plunking the vase and the flowers down on the sink. "Everything's terrible." Mother kept on stirring and I went out back to feed the kittens. The air was cool and it felt good on my hot face. I lifted my braid and wrapped it around my head. The kittens, awkward and long-legged now, pushed and tangled themselves around my feet. One chewed on my shoelace. The mother squatted at the bowl to eat. Fidelio came up for pats and then went back to lie under the porch. My stomach was dancing. I felt shakey just as I did before a big test at school. I wished Father and Andrew would get here. At the same time, I wished the evening was over. I heard Ruth's voice and saw her pedal around the house on her bicycle. We both waved. When I went back into the kitchen, Mother was fixing the flowers. The table looked beautiful and the ham smelled delicious. Mother looked elegant in a fluttery green dress that curved around her neck and swirled to the floor. Maybe everything would be all right. Ruth looked more severe in a long skirt and white blouse. "I'm looking forward to meeting Andrew, Annie. Do I pass inspection?" Suddenly I heard the car. I looked at Mother in horror. She burst out laughing and tucked her arm through Ruth's. "Oh, Anaie. You are such a funny duck." She patted me on the bottom. "Now get Andrew and bring him in here." Andrew was dressed in his uniform. I had never seen him in anything but his hospital clothes. He even had his cap on, sitting on the back of his head. From a distance, he looked like any other soldier. |