Page 97 of Melody (Logan 1)

"Yeah, I didn't want to do anything after Laura

died. I didn't want to work or ever go back to school." "That was the only good thing about us leaving

Sewell," I told him. "Not having to go to the places

Daddy and I used to go to anymore, not having to

look at the coal miners and wait for him to come

home."

He thought a moment. "I couldn't leave here

ever." "Most of the young people I knew were always

talking about getting away from home someday." "Not me. This is where I belong, where I was

meant to be. I got saltwater in my blood."

I laughed.

"I probably won't graduate anyway," he added. "Why not?"

"Doing pretty bad in English."

"Badly."

"What?"

"You're doing badly, not bad."

"See what I mean?"

"Maybe I can help you. I'm a very good English

student."

"It's probably too late. If I don't pass the final--

"

"Then you'll pass it," I told him. "I'll help you

every night. Okay?"

"I don't know. I don't know if I even care." "You've got to care! Besides, I'm sure you'll do

well if you try."

He smiled.

"I understand Laura was a very good student.

Did she help you?"

He looked away instead of answering and then

he turned back and started down the hill. "Let's go