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"I know you've done and are doing all you can Daddy"

"Let's all take a deep breath," Mommy said "and try to carry on with our lives Maybe we'll all take a trip, go to the seashore or one of the islands," she suggested

"Yeah," Daddy said "Okay"

He rose and went back to theMommy looked at me and then turned to leave the office

"Oh," Daddy said, turning back to us, "I have soone an hour or so," he said

"Don't be too long Austin Mrs Geary's working hard to ht"

"I'll be there I'll even be hungry," he pro his eyes

Mo room and I returned to my bedroom I didn't cry anymore I just sat by myand looked out at the lake I wondered hoould ever kiss another boy, hold his hand or permit hiht of going on a date? Could time and a thousand bubble baths ever wash away the shock and the violation?

My dark thoughts were interrupted when I heard the doorbell ring I rose and went to look down the stairway to see who it was I was expecting it to be Harley who I iined had decided he couldn't wait to visit Mrs Geary was there opening the door It was Uncle Roy

"Is Mrs Clarke downstairs?" he asked her

"I'm here Roy," Mommy said "It's okay Mrs Geary" she added and wheeled up to the sitting room doorway

He waited until Mrs Geary was gone and then turned quickly to Mommy

"What happened to Summer? Why is she home from music school?" he asked with a firered to listen

"Co room Roy," she told him and he followed behind her

I came down the stairs slowly and stopped midhen I could hear their voices It wasn't just curiosity I really wanted to see how Mommy was