Anne turned on him。 〃You arranged this with my parents； didn't you？〃
He grinned。 〃They're wonderful people。 When I explained the situation；
they were more than glad to help out。〃
〃Well； that's just fine； but I'm not going！ For all your smugness and
your crafty little plans； I'm not going！〃
His grin died。 〃I told Rachel that you'd be spending the week with us。〃
〃You had no right to do that。〃
〃But it's done。 She's counting on your being there。 Would you disappoint
her？〃
Anne was exasperated。 〃How can you use her like this？ You know I can't
hurt her。〃
〃I was counting on that。〃
〃So you're going to go out there〃…she pointed a shaky finger toward the
street…〃and tell her I can't go。〃
〃But you can。 Your bags are packed and loaded。 Your work has been
cleared for the next two weeks。 There's nothing left to hold you here。〃
Anne felt trapped。 With a tired sigh； she slumped back against the wall。
〃Why don't you leave me alone？ Can't you see that I don't want to be
with you？〃
He was sober then。 〃That's because you won't listen to reason。 I've
tried to explain； and more than once； but you wouldn't answer my calls
or let me in when I banged on your door。 You wouldn't give me the
courtesy of hearing me out。 So now I'm asking you； for Rachel's sake； to
e with us。 Just this once。 At the end of the week； if you still feel
thi