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house and knew what soap Thelma was watching and

how important it was to her, but I remembered what

Karl had said to me in the morning and how much he

was hoping I would help bring Thelma back to reality. "Hi," I said, and she looked up.

"Oh, Crystal, you're back from school. I want to

hear all about your first day. Just a minute, and there

will be a commercial," she said.

"I'll go change first," I said.

She nodded, her eyes already drawn back to the

screen. When I returned, the television was turned off

and Thelma was sitting quietly in the rocking chair,

moving back and forth slightly and staring down at

the floor.

"Mom?" I said, and she looked up, her eyes

blank for a moment and then suddenly coming on like

a pair of tiny lamps.

"Oh, Crystal. I'm stunned. Just at the end,

Brock told his mother he's gay, and all this time I

thought he was in love with Megan. I mean, I never

would have known." She shook her head. "What's her

mother going to say?"

"Um, I'm not sure," I said, not knowing how to

answer her. I decided instead to tell her about my day.

"I like my new school."

"What? Oh, yes, the school. How was your first

day?"

"It was good. I like most of my teachers." "Did you make any friends?" she asked, as if

that was the main reason for school.

"A few," I said. "I ate lunch with a pair of

twins."