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Shawn said, "You want to read stories?"

"I can’t read"

"I couldn’t either when I was your age What about the alphabet song? You know that?"

She nodded

"You feel like singing it?"

"Okay" Without any self-consciousness at all, Rain sang the alphabet song, bungling the order of the letters but otherwise presenting herself earnestly

When she finished, Shawn said, "Wow That was good If you don’t kno to read yet, I could read to you"

Deborah said, "Her books are in the chest under thein the den That’s sweet of you, Shawn She loves having someone read to her"

The two disappeared, and after aaloud to her She peered at the herself out of sight Rain had cliainst his chest in the same way she did with Patrick Later she found the on while Rain foroes the other way," he was saying "Here, let me show you"

"I can do it!"

"Okay Let ot home Deborah told him what had transpired since she’d spoken to him by phone "Creed" and "Destiny" (whose nah surrounded by quotes) had spent the afternoon in the bus Rain had talked Shawn into a game of Chutes and Ladders His patience seemed infinite Meanwhile, Deborah was at a loss The dinner hour was co the house orfor Shawn, but the idea of no s left precious little

Patrick said, "What do you think they’re up to?"

"I’iven up life on the road and they’re ready to move in with us"