clothes.
I went to the barn and then up the stairway to
Uncle Simon's room. He didn't reply when I knocked
on his door. so I opened it and peered in. He was in
bed. I thought he was asleep, but as soon as I started
to back out and close the door, his eyes opened. "Honey," he said, followed with a flow of
coughs. "Something the matter?"
"No, Uncle Simon. I was just coming over to
practice my violin and see if you needed anything.'" "Oh," he said. He wiped strands of hair off his
forehead and propped himself up. He wasn't wearing
any shirt, and there was a patch of redness at the
center of his chest.
"Do you have a fever?" I asked him.
"No," he said, shaking his head vigorously. He
coughed again. "That doesn't sound good. Uncle
Simon."
"It's nothing." he insisted.
"Mommy's making you some chicken soup, but
if you don't feel better soon, you should go to a
doctor," I said firmly.
He nodded, but with no real conviction. "You're going to play the violin for me?" he
asked, finally showing some light and excitement in
his eyes.
"I wanted to start on some of the music my
friend Chandler Maxwell gave me yesterday. I'm
going to audition for a special school in New York
City," I explained.
His eyes widened with amazement. "New York
City?"