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When we got back from Cousins at the end of summer, I found the dress in my suitcase, wrapped in paper and packed neatly on top like it had always been there Susannah had gone back and bought it for me It was so like her to do that Later,up inthere in the foyer, listening, I felt like the spy Steven was always accusingBut I couldn't help it

I heard Susannah say, "Laurel, I'e ets to decide hoant to live it"

I didn't wait for oing on?" I looked at myher, but I didn't care

"Nothing Everything's fine," my mother said, but her eyes looked red and tired

"Then ere you fighting?"

"We weren't fighting, hon," Susannah assured me She reached out and s out wrinkled silk "Everything really is fine"

"It didn't sound like it"

"Well, it is," Susannah told me

"Promise?" I asked I wanted to believe her

"Promise," she said without hesitation

My mother walked away from us, and I could see fro was not fine, that she was still upset But because I wanted to stay with Susannah, where everything really was fine, I didn't follow her My mother was the kind of person ould rather be alone anyway Just ask my father

"What's theTellme to the wicker couch in the sunrooure out what had really happened between the two of the away I wanted to tell her everything about Ca Susannah had that way about her, where you wanted to tell her all your secrets and everything in between

She sat on the couch and patted her lap I sat down next to her and put my head in her lap and she s felt safe and cozy, like that fight hadn't happened And ht,"Well, he's different froan "How so?"

"He's just so sood-looking I can't even believe he pays me any attention"

Susannah shook her head "Oh, please Of course he should pay you attention You're so lovely, darling You've really blossomed this summer People can't help but pay you attention"

"Ha," I said, but I felt flattered She was so good at lad I have you to talk to about this kind of stuff"

"I am too But you know, you could talk to your mother"

"She wouldn't be interested in any of it, not really She'd pretend to care, but she wouldn't"