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He gave it to me and I went to the phone. He sat again and picked up his magazine, but his attention was fixed on me.

I dialed Alice's phone number, put in the required change, and waited for her to answer. She did so on the second ring.

"Alice, it's Melody."

"Where are you? I tried to call you four different times after school."

"Oh, Alice, I don't know where I am. Some place near Richmond, Virginia."

"Richmond, Virginia?"

I gazed at the man behind the counter. He wasn't pretending to be interested in anything but me now.

I turned so that my back was to him and spoke as softly as I could. "We left, Alice. Mommy had it all planned. When I got home, she was packing. We're with Archie Marlin," I moaned.

"What? Where are you going?"

"Provincetown, on Cape Cod, at least at first. Then I don't know. Mommy wants to find a new place to live."

"You're gone for good?" Alice asked

incredulously.

"Yes." My tears blinded me. "Could you say good-bye to everyone for me, and especially Mr. Kile?" He was my favorite teacher.

"But how will I know where you are?"

"I'll write as soon as it's decided. Oh, before I forget, I left my school and library books on the kitchen table in the trailer. Mama Arlene knows. Would you go by and get them and return them for me, please?"

"Sure. I can't believe this."

"Imagine how I feel. You know I hate Archie Marlin," I said. The operator interrupted to say I needed to put in more change, but all I had left was a nickel. "Good-bye, Alice. Thanks for being my best friend."

"Melody!" she called as if I were drifting away like a ghost.

The connection went dead. I stood there holding the mute receiver, afraid to turn and show the motel manager my tears. I took a deep breath, wiped my face with the back of my hand, and cradled the receiver.

"Really raining out there," the manager commented. "Yes."

"You folks come far?"

"Sewell."

"Not that far."

I started away.

"You forgot your can of tonic," he said nodding toward the can I had left on the shelf by the telephone.

"Oh, thanks." I went back for it and then paused on the way to the door again. "Are you all booked up here tonight?"

"Booked up?" He laughed silently, his shoulders shaking. "Hardly."

"I thought so," I muttered to myself and left.

When I returned to the room, I found Mommy and Archie dancing to music on the radio. Mommy looked embarrassed for a moment, then smiled. "Richard can make even the dreariest situations happy."

"Here's your tonic water." I thrust the can at him. "Thanks, princess," Archie said. "Any change?"