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"I’d rather walk I need to be alone," I told hi," Coach protested

"Rain isn’t going to hurtMrs C first Wait right here" Coach trotted toward the office

I didn’t wait Bridger’s dark gaze followed me as I made my silent, humiliated way to the front doors

The day was uncolad for the icy rain washing the filth froh the mud puddles on the side of the road

I hated my life I hated school I was so er to hitch a ride with anyone, anywhere, if it ain

Several cars passed, splattering me with mud, when a truck pulled to a stop in front ofas I asked o, empty-handed, into the orld and fend for , not evena bright yellow rain slicker got out of the truck and splashed through the roadside puddles to my side

"Coach called me," a familiar voice said I peered beneath the slicker hood, into the anxious eyes of Mrs Carpenter "Let’s get you home I’ll draw up a nice hot bath for you and uided me to the car

I couldn’t decide whether I was happy to see her or not

12

Shash hmy stoh the barn to the chicken coop

The chickens either couldn’t sense my inner turmoil or they were too plain dumb to notice They didn’t protest in the least as I reached beneath thes froathered, I threw a cupful of grain onto the ground and locked the coop Walking to the other side of the barn, I sat on the botto up to a padlocked door and sat Shash followed

"Trusthis soft forehead "I’d trade places with you in a heartbeat"

It was Tuesday , and I had to leave for the bus in twenty oing, so I was thinking up all kinds of excuses to keepcramps, my vision was blurred, appendicitis … they were all lies, but I didn’t care I couldn’t go back and face all of those students I didn’t have it in me

I would drop out and start a new life, e job for the rest of my uneducated existence--if I could keep out of jail now that I was eighteen, legally an adult, and running the risk of getting in soers at McDonald’s till I was able to retire didn’t sound nearly as daunting as going back to school

Shash whined

"I know Looks like I’ll be ed to the house It ars to the kitchen, where Mrs Carpenter was hanging up the telephone

"That was ht, she’s called lad to finally know the reason behind your indecent exposure," she continued

I als "You told hiine why you didn’t tell hi to be ashas "He says there’s a cure"

"Oh, really?"

"Stop sleeping in the buff"

I sht I’d drive you to school today," Mrs Carpenter said as she cracked eggs into a bowl The knots in o o back," I whispered

"It seehteen You can do whatever you ith your life" She faced ht into my eyes, she said, "But never let another person’s actions dictate how you are going to live your life, Maggie Mae You are a strong, sh, what kind ofto send Danni Willia out, because the way I saw it, she had

"Smart cookie, you are I’ll be darned if you let her win" Mrs Carpenter dropped her hands fros

"Is that what Mr Petersen told you to say?" I asked

"No He told me to send you to the school in the next town over Let you make another fresh start I told him it was time you stood up for yourself and stayed put So chin up It’s tiie Mae Mortensen is made of"

Mrs Carpenter and I arrived at the school fifteen minutes after class had started The halls were silent When we got to the principal’s office, Dr S for us alone Coach was in one of the chairs opposite his desk, and standing beside hi, Opal," Coach said to Mrs Carpenter, standing so she could have his chair "And Maggie Mae"

"Hello, Maggie Mae," Ollie said, holding his hand out

I forcedmy icy hands and nodded at Coach, then shook Ollie’s hand I took a seat beside Mrs Carpenter

"Good lasses