Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

He smiled at me.

"So," he continued. "Grace. tells me you two

are thinking of going to a beauty parlor today." "Yes, we have afternoon appointments. I'll be

back to pick her up after I visit the college I am going

to attend. I thought it might be nice to go to lunch

first. You're welcome to join us, Linden."

"That sounds very nice. but I think I'm going to

try to do some work today. Mother, pack me a lunch,

if you will. I plan to stay out most of the day. It looks

like a perfect day."

"But are you strong enough for that. Linden?"

she asked him cautiously.

"Of course I am. Why shouldn't I be? Once I

have one of your wonderful omelettes in my stomach,

that is," he added, and laughed.

I think both my mother and I were holding our

breath. Both of us looked about ready to explode.

Still, he didn't notice. He went right on talking and

was even chattier than he had been before his sailing

fiasco. He was absolutely gleeful about our moving

into the main house and the Eatons moving out. "What a relief it will be to move about our

property and not have them hovering above and

around us," he said. "Do you know. Mother. I don't

believe I have been back in that house since they

moved into it. Have I?

"No, Linden. Neither of us has, for that matter,"

Mother said. He thought for a moment, then laughed. "I think I'll plant myself at the gate and smile at

them as they drive away. When will they leave

exactly?" he asked, turning to me.

"May fifteenth is technically their last day here,