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"I"m going to pack some things," I said in a voice only a shade above a whisper.

He nodded and I went to my room. I stood there for a long moment just gazing at everything, at all of Beni's things, at all of our memories. What would I take with me? I had to take something of hers, of course, all our pictures together, some birthday cards we had given to each other and saved for years, her charm bracelet and her favorite ring. Nothing was very valuable. It was all imitation stones and fake gold, but it was hers.

I sat on the floor and went through a carton of memorabilia, laughing at the funny recollections, growing thoughtful at some of the others.

Roy knocked on the door and peered in.

"I want to give you something," he said.

"What?"

"This." He slipped off his tiger-eye ring. He had saved and saved to buy it for himself and was as proud of it as anyone was of any jewel ten times its value.

"Oh no, Roy. I can't take that."

"Sure you can, Rain. It's something I want you to have. Whenever you get lonely, pick it up and twirl it in your fingers and think of me. Come on," he urged, handing it to me, "take it. Please,"

I reached up and took it, closing my fingers around it. "Mama's done the right thing," he said. "I'll be able to sleep nights knowing you're both out of this place."

"We'll be together again, Roy. I know we will," I chanted. It was like a prayer.

"Sure," he said forcing a smile. He started to turn away. "Wait," I said. "Sit with me a while and help me go through some of these pictures."

He looked at the carton and then at Beni's empty bed.

"I don't think I can do that, Rain. I've got to get some sleep. I promised Slim I'd help him finish some jobs before I took off. I'm leaving for the garage earlier than usual tomorrow morning."

He stared at me a moment and then, as if he was battling invisible steal chains to escape, he turned slowly and left.

After breakfast the next morning, Mama gave me some money. I knew she couldn't afford it, but she insisted I take taxis to and from the department store.

"You aren't going to ride any buses and such with your arms full of new things, Rain. Chances are you'd get robbed or something."

I couldn't help being nervous about meeting my real mother, this time without Mama along. I wasn't sure how we would even talk to each other. I was at the department store just a little before three and found the salesperson whose name was on the card my mother had given me, Autumn Jones. She was a pretty woman in her thirties with highlighted blond hair and green eyes. My mother had called in the morning, so Autumn was prepared for me.

"Oh yes," she said when I appeared, "Mrs. Randolph told me to tell you she would be a little late but we should start. From what she says, you need a complete wardrobe to take to your new school. Let's start from the inside out," she suggested and took me to the lingerie department. She appeared to know exactly how much of everything I should have. An assistant, a young, dark-haired thin man, trailed along and collected whatever was chosen or made notes on a pad.

After pantyhose and socks, I was shown nightgowns, robes and slippers. When I questioned a price, Autumn informed me that I was not to be concerned. Finally, my mother appeared, rushing down the aisle to join us in the skirt and blouse section.

She looked very stylish in her man-tailored black velvet suit. I thought she even looked somewhat sexy with her shirt undone, beaded high-heeled pumps and tousled hair.

"Sorry, I'm late, Rain," she said. "It's been one of those days," she added with a wave of her hand as if I would immediately understand. Every day to me was one of those days. "How far along are we, Autumn?"

Autumn told her what we had already picked out and then my mother directed us toward a leather skirt outfit that had immediately caught her eye.

"She certainly has the figure for it, Mrs. Randolph," Autumn said surveying me from head to foot.

"Yes, yes she does," my mother agreed.

They sent me in to try on the skirt and blouse with a matching jacket. I looked at the tags that dangled from the sleeve and nearly fainted at the price. When I stepped out, they both nodded with satisfaction.

"Alison wanted this suit," my mother muttered, "but she doesn't look good in skirts this short. She has her father's bone structure, unfortunately, wide hips, bony knees!'

"Who's Alison?" I asked.

"My daughter," she said and then after a moment added, "your half-sister. She's three years younger than you. You have a half-brother, too, Brody. He's a junior and a shoo-in someday for a football scholarship. They're both good students, but Brody's straight A's, honor society, the whole enchilada, as they say. He takes after Grant and was so bright Grant got him into an accelerated program. After second grade, they advanced him two grades and he went into an accelerated program in high school. He's two years younger than you, but you could never tell. Alison does well, but it's like pulling teeth to get her to work at it. She's too easily satisfied with C's. It drives her father crazy."

I looked at Autumn who was across the aisle putting together a few more outfits, blouses and a pants suit for me. "Who does she think I am?" I asked, nodding at her. "Oh. I told her this was an act of charity, don't worry!'