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THE LONELY days turned into lonely weeks and years Her teachers praised Lacey for her excellent work Their appreciation was the only source of esteeave the kids who picked on her more ammunition; they could add 'brown-noser' to their scornful na She rejoiced every June when su

Lacey spent entire days sprawled on her bed engrossed in the lives of the Bobbsey family, and Nancy Drew or Frank and Joe Hardy And whenever she could, she went to the park when Roger was playing baseball, or the arena where he played volleyball After he got a su

By then he was resigned to Lacey's presence in his life and he bantered with her when she showed up at the pool "What's up brat? You swi today?" he would ask

She would dive back flips and soain his approval Sometimes, when she finished, he would call out, "Well done, brat," and she would writhe with pleasure Then he would turn his attention to his latest girlfriend and Lacey would sit by the pool and watch the she saw hi hoops in his driveway She rushed outside "Hello, Roger Can I play?"

He shrugged and looked around to uess Defend!" he challenged

Elated, Lacey leapt in front of the dribbling Roger and knocked the ball out of his hand, pivoted, and threw a perfect juer moved in on the net, Lacey jumped up to defend In mid air they collided and Lacey was knocked hard onto the driveway ce to her eyes, blood pouring froer bent down to help but she shook hiirl" He gave her the ball and let her dribble and shoot She was ecstatic

The nextto spread the good feeling to other parts of her life, she sat down at the table where her father was reading the paper

"Daddy, no one likes me and I do not knohy They make fun of me"

Harold Wilson looked uncomfortable He folded his paper and stood up "I don't knohat to tell you, girl You should talk to yourthe kitchen He did not notice the tears that glistened on his daughter's cheeks