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Lina started to get up

“Sit there,” Mom commanded as she walked over to the antique ar the ornate doors open, she ruora sweater Turning back to the desk, she smiled “This was supposed to be a Christmas present”

Lina stared at the soft sweater and felt ashalanced at so that her aze to her mother “It’s way cool, Mom Thanks”

Mo”

S, Lina pulled the Coors beer T-shirt over her head and threw it in the corner, then slid into the incredibly soft sweater When her mother led her back to the e

This ti woman stared back at her The sweater made her eyes look ihostly white, she looked pale and sort of fragile, like those girls in the Calvin Klein ads Impulsively she twirled around and threw her ar her close

Then she realized what she’d done and she drew back, embarrassed

Mom smiled “You need to know that he’s very sick, your father He’s just had heart surgery and he’s got to take it easy He’ll be discharged in about an hour, but he’s still going to be o well—to help him find a house today All three of us”

“Sorta like a family,” Lina said, surprised by the wistfulness in her voice

Mom looked startled, then a little sad “More like new friends”

Lina nodded Taking a deep breath, she straightened her should

ers and tilted her chin up “I’m ready, Mom”

“Good He’s in room 264-W”

“You’re not co with me?”

Mouys need some time alone”