Wouldn't it be better to have someone with you？ If I didn't have the
charity luncheon on Wednesday； I'd go with you myself。 You need pany；
Anne。〃
Anne hated worrying her parents。 They had suffered nearly as much as she
had； having to stand by and watch helplessly as their elder daughter's
life fell apart。 When they looked at her； Anne knew what they saw。 She
saw it in the mirror each morning； the pallor in an oval face framed by
pitch…black hair。
Still； she said； 〃I really have no choice； have I； Mother？ I've been
more fortunate than others； always having someone to be with。 When it
wasn't you and Dad； it was Peggy； then my roommates at college； then
Jeff。〃 Her voice caught on his name。 She had long…since cried herself
out； but that little break in her breath remained。
Marjorie Faulke grasped at straws。 〃Call Peggy。 She won't be starting
classes for another few weeks。 She'll make the trip with you。〃
But Anne shook her head。 〃No； Mom。 Peggy's terrific。 For a sister； I
couldn't ask for finer。 But she has her own life； her own friends。 It's
not her job to baby…sit me。 And I'd really prefer to be alone。〃 Her
voice hardened。 〃I'd better get used to it； don't you think？〃 Oh； yes；
there was anger。 Its only cure was through the courts； but it would be
months more before things were resolved there。
A silence had hung over the intimate round