Melody (Logan 1)

her school already, so I just took the shortest route

back.

"Oh Melody, dear, I was worried about you,"

Aunt Sara said when I entered the house. "Cary and

May have been home a while."

"I had to stay after school for a few minutes to

get some extra help from my science teacher," I

explained.

"You should have let Cary know," she told me. "I don't see or speak to Cary much after we

arrive at school, Aunt Sara, and that's not all my fault

either," I added. I went upstairs to change into a pair

of jeans. I found the needlework picture spread out on

the bed with a box of colored thread beside it.

Moments later, Aunt Sara was in the doorway. "I'll show you how to make the stitch," she said.

"I'm really not good at this, Aunt Sara."

"Once you start, you will be, I'm sure," she insisted. I was about to continue my protest when

Cary appeared in the hallway behind her.

"If she doesn't want to do it, don't keep forcing

it on her, Mother," he snapped. Aunt Sara's mouth fell

open and her hand fluttered up to the base of her

throat.

"I didn't mean to. . . I--"

"It's okay, Aunt Sara," I said, shooting my own

sparks of anger from my eyes, "I'd be happy to learn." Cary took on a look of amusement that added

fuel to the fire before he hurried down the stairs and

out of the house. Aunt Sara smiled and came into the

room to demonstrate the needlework. I picked it up

quickly and did enjoy it.

"As soon as this is finished, I'll get a frame for

it and put it up with the others," Aunt Sara promised.