第8章 章節

She laid the piece of carpet on the kitchen counter, and the two girls headed outside to play with the family dogs.

Holly’s disappointment over the incident didn’t be evident until the following evening when she came downstairs to say good night. “Well, I guess we know how much my best friend thinks of me, huh, Mom?” Her attempt at a cheerful tone failedpletely.

The next morning, I carried a kitchen rubbish bag outside. My heart wrenched as I opened the rubbish can and saw Susan’s carpet lying among the other waste items. Hesitating only a moment, I reached in and pulled it out of the can. After giving it a light brushing, I brought it into the house and put it away in the hall closet. upied by the business of daily living, the carpet was soon otten.

Before Holly’s birthday, Susan had been a regular visitor in our home. On several asions, she rode the bus home with Holly and was one of the few friends ever permitted to stay over on a school night. The girls did their homework together and went to bed at a reasonable hour. Now as I cooked the evening meal, I realized it had been nearly three weeks since we’d even heard the mention of Susan’s name. I missed her warm smile and eager-to-please ways.

The noise at the front door told me Holly had arrived home from school. “Susan invited me toe over to her house after school tomorrow.” She announced as she put her books down on the kitchen table. Although her voice carried a so-what attitude, I sensed she was pleased by the invitation.

Arrangements were made, and the girls rode home together on the school bus the following day. As I travelled along the winding country road that led to her house, Susan talked nervously about her foster mom (養母) and the seventeen cats she had taken in and cared for with Susan’s help.

Susan guided us through the house. She proudly showed us her room, which was decorated with used furniture. An old picture frame (框架) sitting beside the bed contained pictures of Susan’s parents and siblings from whom, we later learned, she had long since been separated.

I followed Susan’s foster mom — who introduced herself as Glenda — into the kitchen. After clearing a small area, Glenda placed a couple of cups on the table. Her hand trembled slightly as she poured us each a cup of steaming black coffee. She began to relax as we drank our coffee and chatted about her cats.

Her eyes shone as she showed her fondness for Susan. But her expression turned blue when she referred briefly to the girl’s past. In a short time, I came to respect this generous-hearted woman who had opened her home to a young girl and attempted to make a difference in her life.

As daylight began to fade, we offered our thanks for the visit and said good-bye.

Holly sat quietly in the car on the way home. Stealing a glance, I noticed her back was straight. Her head and shoulders were thrust forward as if willing the car to move faster. No sooner had wee to a stop in the driveway than she threw o