slipped on the next to last one and fell into his arms.
For a moment our faces were inches apart. The
moment he realized he was holding me in his arms, he
released me and I landed hard on my feet on the floor. "That's why I don't like anyone going up there,"
he said moving past me quickly. "It's dangerous." His
cheeks were crimson.
"I'm sorry. Is that your hobby?" I asked before
he reached the top.
He dropped a "Yes" back at me before pulling
the ladder up after him.
"I don't have the measles or anything you
know!" I cried.
He hesitated a moment before closing the door. "Good riddance!" I marched to my room, and
lost myself in my homework. Once in a while, I heard
the sounds of Cary moving above me. I gazed up at
the ceiling and listened until he grew quiet again. The telephone rang below in the living room. I
waited, holding my breath and then, I heard Aunt Sara
call my name.
"Telephone, dear."
"Mommy!" I cried. "Finally!" I hurried down
the stairs.
"It's Haille," Aunt Sara said. "Hurry, it's long
distance."
I rushed to the living room. Uncle Jacob sat in
his chair, smoking his pipe and thumbing through a
mail-order catalogue. He glanced at me and then back
at his pages, but he didn't get up. Aunt Sara stood in
the doorway, watching. I would have no privacy for
this phone call. Nevertheless, I seized the receiver.
"Mommy?"