Awake and Dreaming - Kit Pearson [53]
“No, thanks,” said Theo. She still didn’t feel like reading. Her life was getting so interesting again, she didn’t need stories. She grinned to herself as she wrapped the book. Anna didn’t know that Theo knew all her favourite authors.
Once again, it was hard work being with the family. But Theo was getting used to it. She asked lots of questions about skiing, she praised Lisbeth’s new sweater and she listened patiently to Ben’s description of a bear that only he had seen.
She also answered their questions in careful detail, relating what she’d done in Nanaimo as if she were telling a story. “Sharon’s friends took us to a place where there were goats on the roof!” she said, enjoying the way Lisbeth’s eyes lit up.
Six girls arrived for Anna’s party. Theo tried not to think of her other party, when she’d received a new bike and Dan and Laura had served a special dinner. Today they were going to a movie after cake and ice cream.
Anna raved about her book. “How did you know I like this series?”
“I just guessed,” said Theo.
Lisbeth leaned against Theo as Anna opened the rest of her presents. “Sometimes I feel as if we’ve known you for a long long time,” she whispered.
You have, thought Theo sadly. She could never tell them that now.
THEO AND SHARON spent a lot of time talking about the Kaldors. Sharon always wanted to know exactly what they’d done. Her face was envious as Theo described Anna’s party. “I always wanted to have lots of brothers and sisters,” she said. “They sound like a perfect family.”
“I used to think they were,” said Theo. “I mean, the first time I visited them,” she added. Was that a lie? It wasn’t the first time Sharon thought she meant, but it was true.
Sharon seemed to be waiting for Theo to explain. “I still really like them,” said Theo. “But sometimes they argue and sometimes I feel left out.”
Sharon smiled. “Oh, well, hon … all families argue. You should have heard ours! I’m sure they get along better than we did. We were all so different. Dad was so set in his ways and Mary Rae was so rebellious. She could never please him, so Ma spoiled her to make up for it. And they always took it for granted that I wouldn’t be any trouble.” She sighed. “But I shouldn’t burden you with my memories. You know, Mandy’s family is sort of like the Kaldors. Even though they’re all grown up and the kids have left home, when I go over there for Christmas or birthdays it’s as if they belong to a special club. They’re so close-knit—and they can’t help shutting me out.” She hugged Theo. “Never mind, we have each other, right?”
Theo wriggled inside the hug. She liked Sharon—but it wasn’t the same.
A secret club … that was exactly it. She had been to Mandy’s family’s house with Sharon for a few Sunday dinners. They were like the Kaldors—like a friendly club to which one could never really belong. Her experience was worse than Sharon’s, however, because once she had belonged.
“Why don’t you ask Anna and Lisbeth here one Saturday?” suggested Sharon. “It doesn’t seem right that you always go there.”
“No, thank you,” said Theo hastily. She went into her room to escape from Sharon’s hurt look. How could she explain that she had to be in their house? Then she could sometimes pretend that she still lived there.
17
Theo spent the next Saturday with the Kaldors as well. They lent her a bicycle—the same one she’d ridden before.
“It’s too bad you haven’t got your bike from Vancouver,” said Anna.
“I didn’t have a bike. I’ve never had one,” said Theo.
“How did you learn how to ride one, then?” asked Lisbeth, as Theo passed her on the road.
“I just know,” called back Theo. Because John taught me! she wanted to add. She pedalled hard, then coasted, a grin on her face. Knowing how to ride a bike proved absolutely she’d once lived with the family.
The weekend before Easter Theo was asked to the Kaldors for a sleepover. “That would work out really well for me,” said Sharon. “Mandy and Lynn want me to go to Saltspring Island with them.”
Theo was ecstatic about