Twisted Roots (DeBeers 3)

she said. smiling. "I'm sure you'll cheer him up." As usual Uncle Linden's door was closed. I

knocked and waited, Mrs. Robinson had gone back to

her living quarters and was not in the corridor. I

knocked again and called to Uncle Linden. There was

still no response. Worried now, I opened the door. The room was in total darkness, but fortunately

the silvery sliver of moon gave us enough

illumination to see Uncle Linden sitting by the

window, gazing out.

"Uncle Linden?" I said. "Why are you sitting in

the dark?"

He did not turn. I glanced at Heyden, who

looked concerned himself now, and then I crossed the

room and touched Uncle Linden's left shoulder. He

shuddered and slowly turned his head toward me, "Willow? Have you come back?"

"No, Uncle Linden.

It's Hannah."

"Oh," he said, his voice going flat.

"Why are you sitting in the dark. Uncle

Linden?"

"Am I?" he asked. "I guess I didn't realize how

long I've been sitting here."

Heyden found the light switch and snapped on

the overhead fixture and the lamp in the corner. Uncle

Linden blinked rapidly and smiled.

"Well," he said after a deep breath. "You're all

right then?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Uncle Linden," I replied. "It's

been very sad at home."

"Yes, I know." he said. He glanced out the

window again. "I was just thinking of Java del Mar.