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determine who would be champions of Brenda's

schools league. Celia and Brenda had been working

on Mama to get her to attend. They had even arranged

for us to have a hotel room nearby. Until the last

minute. Mama had agreed to go. We were all

suddenly filled with new hope. Perhaps Mama was emerging from her pit of depression on her own after all. She and I were driving to Memphis, and she was going to let me do most of the driving. I was actually excited about something for the first time in a long

time.

Most of the new clothing I had gotten when I

lost weight, however, no longer fit well. I couldn't

even close up my jeans. I had to return to my closet

and sift through older things until I found something

nice enough to wear to what I was sure would be a

victory celebration after the game. I regretted not

sticking to my dieting and procrastinating when it

came to exercise. I was sure Brenda would chastise

me for it. Despite my promises, I never joined the

girls' volleyball team. either.

The morning of the day of Brenda's big game. I

woke up early. The night before, I had gotten the car

all gassed up and ready. I had packed my little

overnight bag. At dinner. I did almost all the talking.

Mama sat listening. When Brenda called, she perked

up a bit and once again assured her we were coining.

She had lost more weight and had not been to the

beauty parlor for so long they stopped calling to see if

she wanted an appointment. She missed her regular

doctor's checkup as well, and the dentist's receptionist called to see why she hadn't kept her appointment there. She told me she simply forgot. and I made a

new appointment for her.

This trip to Memphis would mark Mama's first

real excursion away from home since Daddy's


Tags: V.C. Andrews Shadows Horror