The door was half-closed, but there was some light streaming out from the small kitchen

into the hallway and anyone standing there could hear Patricias voice, and Hoagie barking his head off from behind the garbage can where he always got stuck. There was Patricias mothers voice too, soft and tremulous Patricia, put that knife on the plate, dear, not on the countertop, you know its such a chore to wipe peanut butter off the countertop. There was some grumbling from Patricia and apparently the knife was moved (with some clanging) because no more was said by Patricias mother, at least for a minute or two while Patricia finished her peanut butter sandwich, and Hoagie the dog fell silent. When Patricia put her plate in the sink she flounced back to the table, blue checkered skirt swinging as she walked, and said indifferently, We have an extra credit assignment. Were supposed to find an article about the inauguration in the paper. Mrs. Manly said preferably with a quote from Johnsons address. Do you know what Daddys done with his paper? I think its probably in his study. Ill get it for you after Ive finished making Judiths dinner. How are your grades? Fine, Patricia said, just as indifferently, and then she seemed to brighten, and anyone looking through the gap between the slightly ajar door and the door frame, could see her sit up a bit in her seat to say, You know, at school todaywellIve been invited to Brendas sixteenth. Shes having it at the West Fielding Country Club. Itll be really swell. She paused for a moment and bit her lip. May I go? I can be back before ten. Hmm, said Patricias mother softly, but it was clear she had some reservations. Hmm. Will you bring Judith with you? Oh, Ma, Patricia said in a complaining tone of voice. Watch your tone, young lady. Soft and tremulous had become steely-edged. Sorry. It was clear she was not. Shes your sister, Patricia, Patricias mother reprimanded. She needs to get out some more, you know. Especially with her getting to be this old But thats exactly it, Ma! Patricia burst out. None of my friends understand why shes so old and she cant do things like regular people. It would be okay if she were blind or something, but shes just so strange! You said even the doctors dont know why! It gives people the creeps! Patricia! said the mother, scandalized.

Patricia continued vengefully. You dont know what its like to have your big sister just tag along everywhere, and people expect her to talk, and all she does is says their words over and over and over again! she said with all the pent-up fury of a teenage girl wanting to go to a party. How are you, Judith? And all she says is Are you are you Judith? I mean, Are you are you? Patricia repeated again, mockingly cruel. Just like that. Are you are you are you. You should have seen Bobby Cardins face. Even with the tiny bit you can see through the ajar door, its easy to see that Patricias put on her conciliatory face. Its just that it scares them, Ma. Id be scared too, if I didnt know her. See, Brenda wont be happy with me if I ruin her sixteenth. Be reasonable, Patricia, said the mother in quiet anger. You know that none of this is Judiths fault Its not mine, either! Its nobodys fault. Andshh, is that? They both paused for a moment, listened carefully, and the mother continued in hushed tones. Never mind. Listen, Patricia, I think you should think carefully about what youve just said. I dont know if its a good idea to let you go to this Brendas party if you think shes the type of person who would get so mad at you for just wanting to bring your big sister along. She neednt stay the whole thing, just come for a little bit Id rather not go at all than bring Judith! shouted Patricia passionately. She had stood up from her chair now, was coming to the door, and with a glance back at the mother screamed, You just dont understand! Youre always thinking about her and not me! Youre bringing her dinners on a plate and spending all hours of the night trying to get her to go to sleep or just talk proper! She hasnt been elected to Student Council. She hasnt been homecoming queen! She doesnt even call you Ma! Patricia had turned back to face her mother againunseen, blocked by the half-closed kitchen doorbut you could tell because now Patricia was moving back and forth rapidly, her back tensed. She looked like a shadowboxer against the bright light of the kitchen. You dont get it, Patricia, said her mother with unnerving calm, you simply You dont get it! Patricia exploded. The one party I really want to go to and you have to go kill all my plans and try to tack her onto it I did not raise you to be a spiteful, selfish child! You are embarrassing me, Patricia! Well, maybe you could tell that to Judith, because shes the embarrassing one! Shes an embarrassment! Patricia screamed, turning back to the door to grab the doorknob with a

vengeance. She opened the door so that bright kitchen light streamed onto my face and she froze for a moment, staring at me, before whispering, Hi, Judith. Hi, Judith, I said, and walked away.