Melody (Logan 1)

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?"