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Lloyd Fund was right about one thing, though--all this construction was killing business Alix figured it was only a ot her RIF notice, followed by word that her apart had been sold It was inevitable with all the changes taking place in the neighborhood Either that or she was in for a big rent hike Thanks a lot, Mr Mayor

She burrowed her hands in her black leather jacket and glared down the street at the dust and debris She wore the leather coat rain or shine, su ti it off so someone could conveniently walk aith it Soh it was doubtful anything Alix oould fit her Leaning against the building, knee bent, one foot braced against the wall, she concentrated on the other side of the street

All the storefronts were newly painted The new florist shop had already opened, as well as a beauty parlor Those were a real boon to the neighborhood--as if she had use for either one The shop situated between the of ashop In this neighborhood neither would last long, she suspected On closer inspection she decided it was a yarn store The people who lived in her building weren’t exactly the type who got off on a ball of yarn

A knitting shop did bring up an interesting prospect, though With another five minutes left of her break, Alix crossed the street She peered through theand saw a hand, it would get the court off her back Maybe she could do soe Roper had thrown at her

"Hi," Alix said, letting her voice boo an entrance

"Hello"

The proprietor was a dainty woe brown eyes and a ready s the other wolance She couldn’t be much older than Alix

"This ischair "How can I help you?"

"I want to know about that knitting class" Her case worker had once suggested knitting as a ement Maybe it would work And if it allowed her to ations at the same time…

"What can I tell you?"

Slowly Alix walked around the shop, her hands shoved inside her pockets She’d bet this knitting lady didn’t get many custoht Alix’s attention--all about homemade quilts and blankets for kids who’d suffered domestic violence "You ever heard of the Linus Project?" she asked, thinking this yarn lady probably hadn’t stepped inside a courtroom in her lifetime

"Of course" The woman joined her hands and followed Alix as if she was afraid Alix ated project that involves knitting blankets for children who are the victied it off as if it were ht "That’s what I heard"

"I’m Lydia, by the way"

"Alix, spelled A-L-I-X" She hadn’t expected to get on a first-naht

"Hello, Alix, and welco for the Linus Project?"

"Well…" Her thoughts on the subject had been pretty vague "I ht be if I kne to knit," she finally ave a short, hu"

"Would you like to learn? It isn’t difficult"

She snorted,an intentionally derisive sound The truth was, Alix didn’t really knohy she was here Perhaps it was because of so Her early years were blocked from her mind Those court-appointed doctors had said she suffered fro h her mind Most of the time she didn’t knohat had really happened and what hadn’t What she did reument would break out and Alix would hide in her bedrooed to convince herself there was no yelling and no violence In that closet she had another fainary world where mothers and fathers loved each other and didn’t screainary world had a real hoerator wasn’t filled with beer and there were cookies and h the years, fantasy had played as great a role in Alix’sshe recalled in vivid detail was that this fantasy mother who loved her used to knit

Alix escaped into that closet quite often as a kid…

"I have a beginners’ class starting next Friday afternoon if you’d like to join"

The words shook her frorinned "You honestly think you could teach someone like me to knit?"

"Of course I do," Lydia returned without a pause "I’ve taught lots of people and there are only toive you plenty of attention"

"I’m left-handed"

"That’s not a problem"

The lady h to supply and eventually Lydia would give up on her As for learning to knit, she didn’t havea blanket for the Linus Project, like you ht into that one