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"Oh I think she hoped I would never find out, but her husband was a hardjobs, irresponsible, and he revealed it all in a drunken rage one day She had no choice I cried a lot when I found out she wasn't really my mother,"

"I'd die if that happened to me," I said

"I guess I nearly did, but she was a tough little lady After Bentatha's death my Mama was

determined to save an to insist she take on her responsibilities, which meant, to take me back Of course, as you know, she was very, very sick, but it was like her to keep that a secret as well She kneould never leave her if I knew the truth'

"It must have broken her heart to see you ao live with someone else"

"Both our hearts, but she never shed a tear in front of rowing silent for a moment

"Anyway," she continued "when I came here Grandmother Hudson was not what you kids would call a happy camper She was like a tyrant with her rules and threats but I surprised her I guess I did so well in school and shocked her withhters Eventually, she needed me as reat"

"What sacrifice?"

"Arranging for land with her sister so I could attend a prestigious school for the perforotten to know and love each other, she was in effect giving oodbye to me on our front steps I often wonder if she would have lived longer had I remained here,"

She was quiet a long moment and then smiled

"But, if ell on the past, we're prisoners of it," she said "The good thing was I gained selfconfidence and realized who I really was She gave ave me my identity, my sense of self

"That's what has to happen to Harley Despite the bravado he puts on, he's a very frightened young s yet"

"Why is Uncle Ray so mean to him then Mommy?"

"That's another story" she said "Please, tell me Mommy"

"I wish you could go to sleep with a head full of cotton candy tonight, honey"