Taking Terri Mueller by Norma Fox Mazer Read Free Book Online Page A

the card away and forgotten about it. Forgotten, too, how in some tiny, almost hidden-from-herself part of her mind, she had known that her father had not wanted to give her Vivian’s address.
    â€œThat must have been your favorite aunt,” Shaundra said.
    Terri started. She’d nearly forgotten Shaundra, who was sitting on the edge of the table, swinging her legs. Barkley was lying on the floor at her feet. “She’s my only aunt.”
    â€œYour only? How can she be your only? I have ten aunts. You have anything to eat in this house? I’m starved. Can I have an apple?”
    Terri polished two Macintosh apples on her sleeve and explained to Shaundra that Vivian was her father’s only (and older) sister, and that her mother had had no sisters, or brothers either. “And I’m an only. And probably when I get married, I’ll only have one child, too.” Was she talking too much? Better than listening to the disturbing thoughts in her head.
    â€œJust one aunt and no uncles? How about greats? You know, your parents’ aunts and uncles?”
    Terri bit into the apple. “I don’t have any of those, either. You talk, Shaundra, as if you expect everyone to have an enormous family like you.”
    â€œI do?” Shaundra’s eyes opened wide. “No, I don’t.Where does your aunt live?”
    â€œCalifornia. Isn’t this apple good?”
    â€œMy Aunt Lucille and Uncle Dave live in Encino. Where exactly does your aunt live in California?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Terri said.
    â€œWhat do you mean, you don’t know?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, what do I mean, I don’t know? Just don’t,” Terri said, but it occurred to her that not knowing where her aunt lived was either very dumb, or something else awfully strange. “I suppose, Shaundra, you know where all your many aunts and uncles live?”
    â€œWell, not all of them. But I have a few more to keep track of than you do, Terri Mueller.”
    Terri threw her apple core into the garbage. “What should we do? We’re just hanging around.” She scrubbed potatoes and put them in the stovetop baker. “Barkley, get out from under my feet!”
    â€œWhy are you yelling at Barkley? Are you getting mad?” Shaundra said. “You sound mad.”
    â€œWho’s mad?” Terri went into her room and stretched out on her bed, her legs dangling over the edge. Why did she feel so disagreeable?
    â€œWhere’s your Aunt Vivian going to sleep?” Shaundra said, standing in the doorway. “On the couch?”
    â€œAre you kidding? That mangy old thing? Right here. We have a folding cot. I’ll take the cot and give her my bed.”
    â€œGood luck. You’ll be stepping on each other’s faces.” She picked up a bunch of keys from the bureau. “What’re all these?”
    â€œYou saw them before,” Terri said. “They’re from all the different houses and places we’ve lived.”
    â€œYou never told me that.”
    â€œI did, too.”
    â€œYou didn’t. But it’s neat, anyway. You’re lucky, I’ve never been anywhere.”
    â€œYou always say that! It’s not such a big deal. Anyway, you exaggerate everything. I know you’ve been plenty of places!”
    There was a moment’s silence, then Shaundra said, “You’re being such a grouch. Ever since your aunt called. I thought you were happy she’s coming.”
    â€œI am!” Terri picked furiously at the binding on her blanket. What could she say? How could she tell Shaundra that questions were blowing through her mind like a wind storm. Why didn’t they ever visit Aunt Vivian? Had her father really sent that Christmas card? Why didn’t he like to talk about her mother? Where were her little-girl memories? And why didn’t they have even one picture of her mother?
    She smelled something burning. The