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burning desire to find a new road and my independence, I missed them terribly. They were the shoulders to lean upon, the hands to reach for, the people in

whom I found my safe haven. It wasn't easy cutting

the ties and waving them off.

I was truly like the bird falling from the nest.

Would I fly?

Aunt Zipporah was confident I would.

Nevertheless, she did her best to cheer me up the rest

of the day, insisting that we go shop for those clothes

we had promised each other. I had a fun time helping

her find things in style to wear rather than wearing

what my stepmother Rachel called "Zipporah's rebel

uniforms." She even contemplated going to the beauty

parlor and getting a different, more up-to-date

hairstyle.

"You should," I said. Then, realizing I sounded

like I was criticizing her in Rachel's style, I added, "I

mean, it might make you feel better about yourself!" "Look at who's talking. I tell you what. If you'll

go, I'll go," she added. "We'll do the whole enchilada--nails, pedicure, facials. What do you say?" I laughed and nodded. The salon had openings immediately, so she made our appointments and we spoiled ourselves for the rest of the day. When we returned to the Cafe, Tyler was amused and even im

pressed with Aunt Zipporah's and my new looks. "I'm probably going to get new business

because of you two," he told us. "Those truck drivers

who think we're too sixties and distrust us will be

coming in for sure now."

The three of us laughed. My uncle and aunt

were truly an antidote for sadness. It was impossible

to be either unhappy or depressed around them long.

My grandmother's questions had put a little doubt in

my mind, but this was a good move for me, I told

myself.

We had a very busy Saturday night and I had

little time to think .about Duncan. I did look for him