Fear of Falling by Laurie Halse Anderson

Author:Laurie Halse Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin USA, Inc.

Chapter Six

When we get home that night, Dad pulls up to the curb but keeps the motor running.

“Aren’t you coming in?” I ask.

“Sorry, David, I’ve got some important calls to make.”

“But what about Ashley? She’s dying to see you!”

“I’m going to see her tomorrow, I promise,” he insists.

Yeah, right. I climb out of the truck.

“It’ll be a surprise for her!” he adds lamely. “And tell your mom I’ll call her.”

As I walk in the door, Mom looks up expectantly, but when she sees I’m alone, her face quickly goes blank. I deliver Dad’s message, and she nods. Then she puts me to work polishing the silver for the big Thanksgiving dinner she’s planned.

She’s invited Dr. Mac, Maggie, and Zoe to join us, plus a few people from her office. So we’re all working like crazy to get everything ready. Despite all the work, I can tell she enjoys the hustle-bustle of holiday preparations.

Right now she’s making her special cranberry relish while Ashley works at the table beside her, coloring name cards for our guests. Brian is bringing in firewood to have ready for Thursday. Even I start to feel cheerful and excited about the holiday, in spite of my worries over Dad being here.

Brian dumps his load of wood by the fireplace in the family room, then turns to Mom. “Do you need any more stuff from the store? I can swing by on my way home from work tomorrow.”

Mom beams at his thoughtfulness but shakes her head no. “I’ve got everything I need,” she says with satisfaction. And as she looks around the kitchen at me and my brother and sister, I think maybe she’s not just talking about ingredients for the meal.

Wiping her hands on her apron, Mom leans over and kisses Ashley on the top of her head. Everything feels peaceful and contented, kind of like in one of those holiday commercials for stuffing.

I just hope nobody changes the channel.

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