Kaleidoscope by Anna Willman

Author:Anna Willman [Willman, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anna Willman
Published: 2013-06-12T00:00:00+00:00

APTER SEVENTEEN

Karen arrived at the doctor’s office ten minutes late. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Killer found an army surplus store, and I couldn’t get him to leave.”

She sat down in the blue chair with a firm plop and shook her head. “This is all beginning to get out of hand.”

“What is?” Dr. Sanford said.

“Ever since we told Norman last month, everyone seems to think they have a free pass to the outside. No need to hide any more. People are popping out at the least excuse. Bonnie got out in the children’s section of the library yesterday and personally dismantled the newest exhibit of picture books. Thank heavens that’s our friend Virginia’s turf. Harold was scrambling around trying to put it back together when she walked in. I don’t think she quite believed his story about stumbling against it – after all it was well out of the usual traffic pattern – but she has a good heart and just pitched in to restore order. Then she nailed him for a lunch date. It’s tomorrow, and Harold is in a panic, so I shall have to go.”

Dr. Sanford smiled. “No one else among all those hundreds?”

“Well, yes, I suppose Autumn or Mary Alice could go, or half a dozen others. I think Shelly has enough on her hands with Norman. But the trouble is, I’m not sure they could keep the children from coming out if we should happen to pass something interesting – a toy store, a Great Dane, a kangaroo.”

“A kangaroo?” the doctor laughed.

Karen smiled. “You know what I mean. Anyway, I don’t mind. In fact I’ll enjoy it. I like Virginia.”

“But?”

Karen fidgeted in her seat and spread her hands out. “I’ve been thinking maybe I ought to tell her about us.”

“That’s interesting. Tell me more.”

“Well, Virginia is Ali’s friend – the one who found us when we got lost that time, when I was all confused. And now that Harold is the one working at the library, well, you know how Harold is, he’s been avoiding her, and I’ve been too preoccupied to spend time with her.”

“So why tell her now?” the doctor asked.

“Because I need help.”

Karen sighed and leaned back in her chair, letting her fingers trace patterns on the blue fabric. “Virginia has been a good friend, and I think we need a good friend right now. Especially at work. We can’t afford to lose that job, and the way the children are acting, something is bound to come unglued. If she knows about us – if she understands – maybe she can help us avoid a catastrophe.”

“And?” the doctor said.

Karen shook her head and sighed again. “And…I think mostly it’s because I want a friend. I miss her. The Ali in me misses her.”

The doctor said nothing, and Karen said, “You think it’s a bad idea.”

“I think it’s a very good idea.”

“You do?”

“Of course. You need an ally, and Virginia sounds like she’d be a great one. And I’m happy to see you building ties here in the outside world.

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