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He grunted like Uncle Jacob and kept his face forward as he took long strides.

"I see you made friends with the most popular girls at school already," he commented.

"I'd rather be friends with Theresa Patterson," I replied. He shot a glance at me, a look of surprise on his face.

"She's a brava."

"So?"

"If you hang out with them, the others won't be as friendly. You won't be included in their gossiping and you'll never get invited to their wonderful parties."

"I'll risk it," I said. Although he didn't turn back to me, I saw a smile form.

May was waiting patiently for us at her school. She broke into a wide, happy smile when she saw I had come for her, too, and I signed hello. She ran to us, but Cary began to sign quickly. Whatever he told her calmed her down and she walked along holding tightly to his hand. I was at a great disadvantage not knowing the language of the deaf. I made up my mind to learn as much as I could as quickly as I could.

Aunt Sara stood at the front of the house when we arrived. She rushed to us, her face full of expectation. I could tell that the way she was gazing at us as we all came walking up the street made Cary uncomfortable. I heard him mumble something under his breath, and then he quickened his pace, tugging May along.

"How was your day, children?"

"The same as always," Cary muttered and walked through the gate and past her quickly. May paused to tell Aunt Sara her school news. Her fingers and hands moved so quickly, I wondered how Aunt Sara could keep up. She didn't seem to be paying much attention either, because as she nodded and smiled, her eyes were focused on me.

"It's so good to see three of you come down the street instead of only two. Was school okay? Did you make new friends, dear?"

"It's hard to make friends the first day," I replied, without revealing anything in my tone of voice.

"Of course," she said. "Would you like something cold to drink? Laura and I would enjoy a glass of iced tea about this time of the day."

"That sounds nice. Did my mother call?" I asked hopefully.

Her smile wilted like a flower without sunshine and water. "No, dear, not yet."

I tried not to look disappointed. "I'll just go and change into something else. I'd like to see the cranberry bog."

"Oh, yes. It's right over the hill. Maybe Cary will take you," she suggested. May tried to get Aunt Sara's attention and interest again. Her hands resembled small fluttering birds, but Aunt Sara babbled on about her quiet afternoons with Laura. By the time I got to my room, Cary was emerging, dressed in a worn pair of pants, dirty sneakers, and an old shirt.

"I've got to go help my father with today's catch," he said as he passed. I was standing in the doorway. "I don't have time to take someone sightseeing."

"Can I help?" I called after him, but he was bouncing down the stairs and didn't reply.

Why did he avoid me? Coming home from school, he had looked embarrassed walking with me at his side, and whenever he spoke to me, he always looked at something else. Was I that detestable? I was sure it had something to do with his resenting my being in Laura's room, using Laura's things. I couldn't wait for Mommy to call so I could at least get the shipment of my other things.

I changed into my own jeans and blouse, loosened my hair, and put on my older pair of sneakers. May had already changed out of her school clothes and was waiting for me. She signed something I didn't understand.

"Wait," I told her and scooped up the book on sign language. "You and I will practice, okay?" I said holding up the book.

She nodded and I took her hand. As we descended the stairs, Aunt Sara called from the kitchen.

"Is that you, dear?"

"It's May and me," I replied. She appeared with only one glass of iced tea in her hand. "Come, sit with me a minute on the porch," she said, handing me the glass.

"Thank you, but doesn't May want any?" I held up the glass. May started to nod.

"May has something to do," Aunt Sara said harshly. She gestured at her and May's smile faded. She looked at me a moment and then ran to the rear of the house.

"Where's she going?"

"May helps with the laundry, folding towels and putting away the linens. It's her chore. Everyone has a list of chores," Aunt Sara said.