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"Oh, I wanted you to have so into his pocket to produce a billfold and pulled out soe bills I started to shake my head "No, please, take it and hide it," he insisted "First chance you get, put it in the bank Having a little ive you some independence, Janet" He forced thearound "You're a very talented, beautiful child"

I didn't knohat to say to him

"Well, maybeI'll look in on you from time to time Would you like that?"

I shook my head and he looked surprised

"You wouldn't? Why not?"

"When you get old, you lose your memory," I said, "so you won't remember what you can't have anymore"

He stared at me and smiled

"Who told you that?"

I shrugged "Nobody I thought it up one day"

"You're probably right It's nature's way But I hope you don't forget et you"

"Celine's already forgotten me," I said

"She's just mixed you up with memories of herself," he said

"Then it's better she forgets?'

He looked like he was going to cry All he had ever done before was kissstreets He went to his knees this ti me to him for a moment

"I wanted a daughter like you, ," he whispered Then he kissed me on the cheek and stood up quickly, turned, and walked out of the roo the stairway

For a longat the floor Finally I went to theand looked down and saw his car disappear down the road I started to cry, the first tear exploding in a hot drop to trickle down my cheek, when suddenly a beautiful butterfly landed on the sill It lingered for a moment and then lifted into the wind I watched it flutter away and I thought, someday, that will be me