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"Far enough," he said, turned onto the macadam and sped up. We didn't speak again until we were at Aunt Zipporah's house.

"Thanks again for showing me your special place," I told him when I dismounted.

"It's anyone's special place really. It's a free country," he said.

All the warmth and sincerity I had heard before was gone from his voice. I felt the tension and frustration boiling out of me.

"What is your problem? Can't anyone be nice to you? And don't give me that junk about it means you'll be selling your soul."

"What soul?" he replied, turned his scooter around and started away. I watched him disappear into the darkness again.

He reminds me of a dog that's been kicked and kicked until it growls whenever someone wants to pet it, I thought.

Just as I reached the door, however, I heard his scooter returning. I waited until he pulled into the driveway. He sat there, the scooter still going, looking like it was struggling for breath, the engine sputtering. "Forget something?" I asked, moving toward him. "Yeah."

"What?"

"I forgot to say good night," he said. "Sorry," he added.

"Don't tell me you're going to try to be human." He laughed.

"No, I won't go that far."

He stared at me a moment and then he leaned over to kiss me, but he did so as if he was truly stealing a kiss. Then he iumed the scooter around and took off. I watched him disappear again.

He is the reason for hot and cold water in any sink or tub or shower, I thought.

14 Children of Sin

. During the next few days, I didn't see Duncan. He didn't conk to the cafe or look for me at my aunt and uncle's home. He didn't even cal

l me. I was disappointed, but I didn't try to call him. Because I turned so sharply in anticipation every time the cafe's front door was opened, my aunt Zipporah knew I was anticipating and hoping to see him, however.

"Things didn't go so well with you and Duncan?" she asked me with a wry smile.

"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure," I said, and

she laughed. Mrs. Mallen overheard.

"Don't be surprised that boy's not coming

around," Mrs. Mallen said. "He's very devoted to his

mother. He's had to do a man's work around their

property ever since he was ten. He's lost his whole

youth."

"I don't care if he comes or not," I said, a little

embarrassed my disappointment was that obvious to

everyone in the cafe.

Aunt Zipporah smiled at me as if to say, "Sure,

sure." Not another word was mentioned about him,