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I went upstairs quietly, thinking again that I would just peek in on her, but Celine's door was closed It reht I watched some television, read, and went up to bed before Sanford returned from the factory

When I woke in the htly throughcheerful so I chose a yellow blouse with a white skirt and the light blue sneakers Celine and Sanford had bought me the first week I arrived I fixed my hair into a ponytail When I stepped out of my room, I saw that Celine's bedrooined Sanford was downstairs at the dining roo for ht e

When I got downstairs, however, there was no one in the dining room Mildred came from the kitchen and told one

"What about my mother?" I asked her

"I brought her breakfast, but she didn't eat ht and she didn't look like she was very interested in any breakfast She hardly spoke," she added, shaking her head "I think she's sick"

"Maybe Sanford went for the doctor," I said

"No," Mildred said The way she pressed her lips shut told o for the doctor"

"What is it, Mildred? What else is wrong?"

"I don't know that anything's wrong," she said "Mr Delorice, he was very concerned about his business thisNot that I listen in on his phone calls," she added quickly

"I know you don't, Mildred Please tell me what you do know," I pleaded

"So happened at the factory this week, but I don't knohat I just know it'syou some breakfast"

"I' up to see my mother first," I told her and hurried up the stairway I knocked on Celine's door but she didn't respond I waited a moment and then opened it slowly and peered in

Celine was in her wheelchair staring out aShe was still in her nightgown and her hair was unbrushed She wore no lipstick

"Mother?" I said co up behind her She didn't turn, so I spoke louder She siht, Mother?"

Suddenly she started to laugh It began with a low ru in her throat, and then her face broke into a wide sot louder, stranger Tears began to stream out of her eyes Her shoulders shook She seized the wheels of her chair and rolled theain until she hit the wall