Page 3 (1/2)

"Andrei later designed the bridge that crosses the river to the west of town," Jonas's mother said "It wasn't there ere children"

"There are very rarely disappointments, Jonas I don't think you need to worry about that," his father reassured him "And if there are, you know there's an appeal process" But they all laughed at that--an appeal went to a committee for study

"I worry a little about Asher's Assignment," Jonas confessed "Asher's such fun But he doesn't really have any serious interests He "

His father chuckled "You know," he said, "I re Center, before he was na All of us on the staff enjoyed nurturing Asher"

"The Elders know Asher," his nment for him I don't think you need to worry about hi that may not have occurred to you I know I didn't think about it until after my Ceremony of Twelve"

"What's that?"

"Well, it's the last of the Ceree isn't important Most of us even lose track of how old we are as tih the inforo and look it up if anted to What's i you'll receive in your Assignment"

"I know that," Jonas said "Everyone knows that"

"But it roup And each of your friends will You'll no longer be spending your tiroup of Elevens After the Cereroup, with those in training No more volunteer hours No er be as close"

Jonas shook his head "Asher and I will always be friends," he said firmly "And there will still be school"

"That's true," his father agreed "But what your es"

"Good changes, though," his mother pointed out "After my Ceremony of Twelve, Ifor Law and Justice, I found myself with people who shared es"

"Did you still play at all, after Twelve?" Jonas asked

"Occasionally," his mother replied "But it didn't seem as ihing "I still do Every day, at the Nurturing Center, I play bounce-on-the-knee, and peek-a-boo, and hug-the-teddy" He reached over and stroked Jonas's neatly trimmed hair "Fun doesn't end when you becohtclothes, in the doorway She gave an i private conversation," she said "And there are certain people waiting for their comfort object"

"Lily," her ht, and when you're an Eight, your comfort object will be taken away It will be recycled to the younger children You should be starting to go off to sleep without it"

But her father had already gone to the shelf and taken down the stuffed elephant which was kept there Many of the coinary creatures Jonas's had been called a bear

"Here you are, Lily-billy," he said "I'll come help you remove your hair ribbons"

Jonas and his mother rolled their eyes, yet they watched affectionately as Lily and her father headed to her sleeping-rooiven to her as her co desk and opened her briefcase; her work never see Jonas went to his own desk and began to sort through his school papers for the evening's assign Cereh he had been reassured by the talk with his parents, he hadn't the slightest idea what Assign for his future, or how he ht feel about it when the day came

3

"Oh, look!" Lily squealed in delight "Isn't he cute? Look how tiny he is! And he has funny eyes like yours, Jonas!" Jonas glared at her He didn't like it that she had mentioned his eyes He waited for his father to chastise Lily But Father was busy unstrapping the carrying basket from the back of his bicycle Jonas walked over to look