Read Online Coming Apart (9780545356152) by Ann M Martin - Free Book Online Page B

you?”
    â€œNo. Thank you. I need to do this on my own.”
    And Mr. Pennington walked into his empty house.

On Monday afternoon, Flora found herself alone. Ordinarily, she walked home from school with Olivia and occasionally with Nikki, if Nikki had permission to stay in town for a couple of hours. But today Flora was on her own. And when she reached home she was still on her own, since Ruby was attending a rehearsal of the Children’s Chorus.
    â€œHi, King. Hi, Daisy,” said Flora when the cat and dog greeted her at the door. “I guess it’s just us this afternoon.” Flora let Daisy out into the backyard. She thought about Janie. She fixed herself a piece of toast. She thought about Janie some more. She glanced at her homework assignments and did a bit of calculating in her head. She figured she could finish the assignments by bedtime if she started them the second dinner was over.
    â€œYes!” she exclaimed aloud.
    Flora let Daisy back inside. “Change of plans,” she announced. “Sorry, but you and King are on your own after all. I’m going to go to Aunt Allie’s.” She picked up the phone and dialed Needle and Thread. “Min?” she said. “I decided to go to Aunt Allie’s, so that’s where I’ll be this afternoon.”
    â€œThat’s fine. Did you ask Allie if it’s all right with her?”
    â€œNo, but I know she needs me. She said she has to catch up with her work.”
    â€œOkay. Be home by six.”
    Flora hopped on her bicycle and pedaled down Aiken Avenue. On either side of her, the trees seemed to rush by, bare branches reaching into the sunshine. She flew past withered ivy vines and empty garden plots and didn’t know whether to wish that winter would finally arrive or that spring would hurry up and make an early appearance.
    When Flora turned into Aunt Allie’s driveway, she was grateful to see that the car was in the garage. She left her bike on its side by the front walk and rang the doorbell.
    â€œFlora!” said Allie a few moments later. “I wasn’t expecting you this afternoon.” Allie was holding a squirming Janie in one arm and a notebook in the other.
    â€œI thought you might like some help.”
    There was just the briefest pause before Allie said, “Thank you. I could use a hand this afternoon.”
    â€œGreat. That’s what I’m here for.” Flora stepped inside and took the baby from her aunt. “Hi, Janie. Hi, Janie,” she cooed. “Okay, Aunt Allie, you just go on and get some work done.”
    Allie disappeared into her study, and Flora sat on the couch in the living room with Janie. She stroked her soft curls and touched the tip of her nose. “You are so, so, so, so, so cute,” she whispered. “Let’s see. Do you need your diaper changed? Yes! You do. Let’s go upstairs.”
    Flora and Ruby and Min had helped Allie to decorate Janie’s nursery, and now Flora looked around it with satisfaction. She had made several of the things in the room — a pink cushion for the rocking chair and, with Min, curtains and a matching crib set. Soon Flora would finish the quilt.
    â€œThen I think I’ll start on some more rompers for you,” she told her cousin.
    She changed Janie’s diaper, marveling at her own expertise. “And now let’s find you a new outfit.” Janie was wearing a purple jumper and a white T-shirt, both of which were clean, but Flora felt the need to change the outfit anyway. “Here we go,” she said as she guided Janie’s arms through the sleeves of a striped onesie. “Perfect.”
    To Flora’s delight, Janie was wide-awake and happy, so she carried her downstairs and laid her on a blanket on the living room floor. “Look at all your toys. And your books! Here. I’ll read to you.”
    Janie lay on her back and waved her arms in the air while Flora read
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