Don't Even Think About It Read Online Free Page B

whatever it was, and he shook his headand said that some things just couldn’t be sorted out.
    And then, without thinking, I said, ‘Well then, why couldn’t she have taken me with her?’ And straight away I was sorry I asked that, because Dad’s face kind of crumpled a bit, and I knew I’d hurt him. But he thought about it for a bit, and then he said, ‘Maybe because she didn’t want me to be left with nobody.’ And I thought how much I would have missed him, if Mam
had
taken me with her.
    I was really afraid then that he’d ask me if I’d rather have gone and lived with Mam, which would have been impossible to answer. I mean, I think I probably
would
rather be with her, if I absolutely had to choose – maybe because Mam and I are both females – but whoever I lived with, I’d end up missing the other one terribly.
    He didn’t ask me, though. Maybe he already knew the answer. Maybe parents know more than we think.
    The phone rang when we were almost finished the ice cream, and I put down my spoon and walked out to the hall. I knew if I didn’t answer it she’d just call back later.
    It was awful. As soon as I heard her voice, I wanted to cry again. I had to pinch my arm hard all the way through, while I was trying to sound happy, and thank her for the presents, and tell her the other presents I’d got.
    In the end, I said dinner was ready and I had to go. I suppose she knew something was up, but she said nothing. What was there to say?
    I took a few deep breaths and went into the kitchen, where I found Dad scrambling some eggs, whichsounds strange right after a load of ice cream, but I ate every bit. I suppose it was just dinner the wrong way around. And soon after that I came upstairs again.
    My face is hot, and my cheeks feel tight from all the salty water they’ve had to put up with, and my nose is sore from blowing it so much, but in some kind of a funny way, I feel lighter. I had no idea tears could weigh anything at all. Dad’s jumper must be pretty heavy right now, with all the ones I left in it earlier.
    Things in the box:
    1. A birthday card with a letter folded up inside
    2. A box of chocolates called See’s Candies
    3. A blue t-shirt with a giant ice cream cone on it
    4. A pair of green and blue check pyjama bottoms
    5. A set of three lipsticks
    6. A silver neck chain with a heart on it.
    There’s a verse on the inside of the card. It reads:
    Some say thirteen’s unlucky,
But that is SO untrue –
And if you don’t believe me,
Just take a look at you!
    And here’s the letter that fell out of the card:
    Darling Liz,
    Imagine – you’re a teenager! I can’t believe my baby is so grown up. I hope you have a wonderful day, and I’m really sorry that I’m not there with you to help you enjoy it.
    I know I keep telling you, but I’m going to say it again: I love and miss you very much, and I hate that we can’t be together. You’ll always be the most important person in the world for me, remember that - it makes no difference how far apart we are.
    I hope you like the few little things I’m sending – See’s Candies are made in San Francisco, and I think they’re yummy! The t-shirt can be worn with the pyjama bottoms, or just on its own as a top in the summer. The necklace is to remind you of how much I love you, and the lipsticks are to have some fun with! (But try to stay away from the boys for another while!)
    Happy Birthday darling, thinking of you as always,
    Mam xxx
    The card has a picture of a girl with long straight brown hair, wearing a pink t-shirt and blue jeans and platform shoes, and balancing a load of shopping in one hand. She’s holding a leash in her other hand, and there’s a little dog at the end of it with a pink bow in his hair.
    I think I’ll go to bed now.

A quarter past seven, May, a Saturday around the middle.
    I haven’t told you about Ruth Wallace yet, have I? Although I think I’ve mentioned the Wallaces a few times. They live next door to us, and