the change and sent them home. Still in a daze, Helen gave
Kate a kiss good-bye and tried to figure out how she had missed
out on the last three hours of her life.
Jerry put Helen?s bike on the back of the Pig and started the engine
without a word. He glanced over at her a few times as they
drove home, but he didn?t say anything until they parked in the
driveway.
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?Did you eat?? he asked softly, raising his eyebrows.
?I don?t . . . yes?? Helen had no idea what or when she?d last
eaten. She vaguely remembered Kate cutting her some cherries.
?Are you nervous about the first day of school? Junior year?s a big
one.?
?I guess I must be,? she said absentmindedly. Jerry glanced over
at her and bit his lower lip. He exhaled before speaking.
?I?ve been thinking maybe you should talk to Dr. Cunningham
about those phobia pills. You know, the kind for people who have a
hard time in crowds? Agoraphobia! That?s what it?s called,? he
burst out, remembering. ?Do you think that could help you??
Helen smiled and ran the charm of her necklace along its chain.
?I don?t think so, Dad. I?m not afraid of strangers, I?m just shy.?
She knew she was lying. It wasn?t just that she was shy. Any time
she extended herself and attracted attention, even accidentally, her
stomach hurt so badly it felt almost like the stomach flu or menstrual
cramps?really bad menstrual cramps?but she?d soone
r
light her hair on fire than tell her father that.
?And you?re okay with that? I know you?d never ask, but do you
want help? Because I think this is holding you back. . . .? Jerry said,
starting in on one of their oldest fights.