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behavior or silly things she ht say He orried

enough these days Mother see weaker and weaker and her stomach problems had returned He and I were afraid that her next evaluation would bring us all only dreadful news The threat hung over our house like a te to wash our faloom, his eyes dark and heavy with lines I hadn't seen before etched froait, his shoulders dipped, his strength sapped by shadows of gloo in corners, licking their lips in anticipation of the dread that would come

knocking at our door But soement

party, Samuel phoned to ask if he could see me

immediately

"Can't it wait until you come by to take me to

the Childs' affair, Samuel?"

"No," he said "I want to have a special moment

with you, Olivia Please," he pleaded

Mother had been sleeping longer and longer

every day and with the nurse there, there wasn't much

for reed, fixed my hair, put on one of

skirt and went

downstairs to wait Daddy had gone to the office to

coh to dress for the party However, he said he