Dragonfly Secret Read Online Free Page A

nutritionist planning the meals and lots of other people his own age.”
    Gramps said a word he usually reserves for flat tires and stepping in the mess a neighbor’s dog leaves in our yard.
    â€œNow, Dad,” Mother said, turning to him. “You know as well as I do that she’s got reason to wonder. She only sees, you once or twice a year and you seem to go out of your way to irritate her. She probably thinks you’re getting senile.”
    â€œWell, I ain’t.” His words were emphatic.
    â€œI know that. And the kids know it, too. The problem is, Louise has her mind made up, and she’s sure a professional would agree with her.”
    â€œAin’t none of her dad-blamed business.”
    â€œOf course it is. She’s your daughter, the same as I am. She wants what’s best for you.”
    â€œWhat’s best for me is for her to leave me alone!” His voice rose in an angry shout.
    Mother sighed. “I happen to agree with you, Dad, but that’s not the point. The point is, she’s talked to a lawyer about being named as your legal guardian. If she manages that . . .”
    â€œShe wants to see if she can get me committed!” Gramps exploded.
    Mother blinked back tears, and stared at her hands, which were twisting a handkerchief in her lap as if they wanted to strangle it. “It isn’t that simple. She can’t have you committed, even if she is your guardian. But she would control all your finances. She could make all sorts of decisions for you. And you pay a share of the cost of the house. If you didn’t . . .”
    If he didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to afford a house big enough for all four of us. I jumped up. “We can’t let her do this! Gramps belongs here with us!”
    Mother looked over at me. “Yes, he does. But we can’t afford to hire an expensive attorney to fight Louise. Our best chance is to go along with her until we can prove she’s wrong about Gramps being able to handle his own affairs.”
    Jessie jumped up and stood beside Gramps.
    â€œNobody would believe her. Gramps doesn’t need anybody to take care of him.”
    Mom smiled, but she shook her head. “It isn’t that simple, either, honey. Louise isn’t trying to be mean. She really believes she’s doing what’s right. She asked the lawyer to have a psychologist do an evaluation. We’re going to have to go through it together, and somehow convince Miss Ryderson that Louise is wrong.”
    â€œMiss Ryderson? Is that the lady who was here?” Jessie asked.
    Mother nodded. “She does evaluations in the home, instead of taking the” —she stumbled over the word— “the subject into a clinic. Louise wanted me to take you in for testing, Dad. She knew I wouldn’t do it, though. She already arranged this before she said anything about it.”
    Gramps said another of his words, sounding as if he was spitting on the ground.
    â€œThat won’t help,” Mother said firmly. “In fact, that’s one of the things Louise is complaining about. She thinks your swearing is a sign that you’re unhappy and that you’re rejecting reality.”
    â€œIf they believed that, they’d lock up most of the baseball players in the big leagues,” Gramps snorted.
    â€œThat’s only one of the things she mentioned. She thinks you’re hurting the kids, too.”
    I could see the shock on Gramps’s face. I probably turned as pale as he had. Hurting us! Who could believe that? But then I thought of the bandage on my arm, and my black eye. The psychologist had seen that. What would she think?
    â€œMiss Ryderson is the one we have to convince,” Mom said, breaking the silence. “She was assigned to the case last week, and she’s been talking to the neighbors. That’s why she was here today, to talk to Mrs. Pruitt. Apparently, they don’t