Free Twisted Roots by V. C. Andrews

doing that, is there?"
"No," I muttered, even though to me it sounded more like a police interrogation.
"So?" she followed, her arms folded under her breasts. "Tell us."
"His name is Heyden Reynolds and he plays guitar and writes his own songs. We went to a fastfood restaurant near his home."
"Where was that?" Miguel asked.
I told them. Neither spoke for a moment.
"You have to be careful in that neighborhood at night," Miguel said.
"I am careful. I'm not an idiot," I shot back,
"You don't have to be an idiot to find yourself in a difficult situation." Miguel said softly.
No one wants to attach a ball and chain to you. Hannah." Mommy said. "We're just concerned for your welfare. That's all. Especially now." she added.
"Why especially now?" I asked, looking up at them quickly.
"Well, for one thing." Miguel said. smiling. "you've become a rather beautiful young woman. Your mother and I have discussed this many times. We've been anticipating lots of male interest in you, and we want you to have a wonderful social life without any of the problems that can ensue."
I smirked. Sometimes Miguel's calmness was irritating. I thought. Sometimes you need a show of emotion. I hated the feeling that I was being handled. Miguel didn't often resort to what I and my friends called Teacher Talk, words that seemed to come directly out of a textbook. but I couldn't help feeling he was doing it now.
"And for another thing I am going to be quite a bit busier and more occupied because of little Claude." Mommy added. "I don't want to neglect you and miss something important. honey."
"Right," I said and looked away, tears simmering beneath my lids. You've already missed something important, I thought. I've grown up, and you still think I'm eight years old or something.
"You know, you marched in here without asking how your little brother is doing." Miguel said softly.
No one gave me a chance to ask," I shot back at him,
He nodded. "Maybe so," he said generously. "Well, the doctor was here a little while ago and told us he was doing better than they had expected and he might not have to be here as long as they had anticipated."
"Good," I said.
"Oh honey!" Mommy cried, holding up her arms. "Let's not have any arguments or
unpleasantness now, not now when we've all got so much to be thankful for and happy about. okay?"
I nodded and went to her. She embraced me, kissed my cheek, and stroked my hair.
"What sort of a young man is this Heyden Reynolds?"
"Mommy, I just met him for a hamburger. We didn't get engaged!"
She laughed. - I know. I know. I was simply curious, that's all. It reminds me of when I started seeing boys as not just the other species." she said. and Miguel laughed.
I felt the walls come down, my defensive attitude slip away,
"His mother is Haitian and his father is a jazz musician who is hardly home. He has a fourteen-yearold sister, but she doesn't go to our school. She gets in trouble a lot, and he bears the brunt of it."
"Oh. Sounds like he has to carry a great deal of emotional and social baggage," she said.
"He does, and he doesn't have many friends at school. He transferred in for his senior year. Because of his father's traveling, they have had to move about a great deal."
"Well, be careful about how much you get involved with his problems. Hannah."
"You get involved with other people's problems." I reminded her.
"Yes, but your mother is a professional, trained and schooled in how to do that without it seriously impacting on her own life." Miguel said.
"I thought von wanted me to be a
compassionate person," I told Mommy. "You're always telling me to empathize, to feel the other person's pain so I can understand him or her."
"I just don't want you getting into anything too deeply. Hannah. Sometimes, we get ourselves into trouble even though we have every good intention, and we find ourselves trapped by our own decency and charity. It's all right to feel sorry- for someone, but its not all right to let that burden your own life. It's