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"I'd rather have stayed home with Papa George and Mama Arlene, Mommy."

"I know. I thought of that, but Papa George is a very sick man. Mama Arlene can't be responsible for a young girl, too. It wouldn't be fair to dump you on her, honey."

I looked up sharply.

"So instead you want to dump me here?"

"No, Melody. Living with your own family for a while isn't the same thing as dumping you some place, is it?"

"These people. . . I don't know them, Mommy, and they don't know me."

"An even better reason to stay with them, Melody. You should get to know them, right? Aren't I right about that?" She waited for the answer she wanted.

"I don't know, maybe. But why didn't we ever speak to them before? Why was Daddy so upset with them?"

"Because they didn't want him to marry me, Melody. I told you. They looked down on me because I was an orphan, adopted. I wasn't one of their bluebloods and your grandparents--your father's parents--wanted him to marry someone else, someone they had chosen. He refused. Chester Logan fell in love with me and we got married. Then they wouldn't talk to him and he wouldn't talk to them. Now everyone realizes how foolish they were, I'm sure. They want to make it up to your father, but it's too late for that. The only way they could make up for their bitterness and unpleasantness is to care for you. That's why they were so anxious to do it and why I agreed. I only wish you'd see the logic in it and let me leave with a happy heart.

"Because if I feel happy about you, I will be able to concentrate on my new career and I'll be able to do things for us faster, Melody," she added.

"What are you going to do, Mommy? You don't even have a specific plan."

"Sure I do. I'm going to be a model and an actress," she said firmly. Then she laughed and spun on her heels. "Did you ever see anyone who is more qualified, anyone prettier?"

"No, Mommy."

"Won't it be wonderful seeing me in magazines or in the movies? Can you imagine telling your friends that's your mother?" She laughed and twirled her hair. She was beautiful. Maybe she would become a model and be in magazines. If I went into a tantrum and stopped her from going without me, she would blame me for failing, I thought. I didn't want Mommy to hate me.

I looked back at the house. Archie paced behind the car impatiently. At least I wouldn't have to be with him any longer. I was the eternal cockeyed optimist, always looking for a rainbow after any sorrowful storm.

"Well?" Mommy said. "Will you stay with the family a while? Will you, Melody?"

"If that's what you want me to do, Mommy," I said in a tired, defeated voice. She clapped her hands together.

"Oh, thank you, honey. Thank you. Thank you for giving me my chance. I won't let you down. I promise, honey."

I nodded and took a deep breath. When I looked at the house again, I saw May come out and look our way. She had a ball and paddle and began to play with them, her eyes trained on me and Mommy.

"What happened to Laura, Mommy?"

"She went sailing one day with a boy and they got caught in a storm."

"She drowned in the ocean?"

Mommy nodded.

"We didn't find out about it until months afterward. Daddy decided to call your uncle then, but he still wouldn't speak to Chester. This house has seen a lot of sadness, just like ours. But they'll be lucky for a while," Mommy added. I looked up at her.

"Why?"

"They'll have you," she said. She put her arm around me and we started back toward the driveway. Archie looked up expectantly and Mommy nodded. Then he hurried to the trunk to unload my bags.

"What about the rest of my things, Mommy? I don't have much."

"I'll get in touch with Arlene and see about having them shipped up here. Don't worry," she said May was still watching us with great curiosity.

Mommy noticed the girl. "Hello, honey."

May smiled at her but turned quickly to me. Then she thrust her hand at mine and seized my fingers tightly, tugging me to go someplace with her.