'"I'll go see him. then," I said nodding toward
the stairway. She smiled.
"I've got some potatoes up for mashing." she
said. "Roy just loves my mashed potatoes." "They are good," I agreed. which brought back
her smile.
She nodded and started back toward the kitchen. I watched her a moment and then went up the stairs. I called to Harley. His door was closed. He
didn't answer or open it so I knocked softly.
"Harley?"
There was still no answer. I turned the knob
softly and opened the door as gently as I could. When
I looked in. I saw him in bed, face down. Why was he
sleeping this time of the day I wondered, I waited, but
he didn't turn or move.
"Harley?" I still waited. I knew he had to have
heard me. I knew he didn't sleep that soundly. "Go away. Summer," he finally said.
"What? Why? Are you sick?"
"Yeah. I'm sick," he said. "Get outta here before
you catch something."
"What's the matter? Maybe you should see a
doctor."
"Yeah, a doctor." he said and followed it with a
short grunting laugh.
"Well, what's wrong with you, Harley? Didn't
you go to school today?"
"No." he said. 'and I'm not bothering going back
either. Just go home, will you."
"Harley Arnold, you better talk to me." He sighed deeply. I stood there, waiting, my heart starting to thump like a jackhammer. What was
wrong with him? Why this radical change?
"Harley?"
He turned slowly and pulled himself into a