Free Twisted Roots by V. C. Andrews Page A

like someone who can't swim well trying to save someone who can't swim at all... the result is usually both drowning. What good is that?"
"I can swim."
"Your mother means emotionally. It takes wisdom, years, maturing to involve yourself deeply in other people's problems. Hannah,"
Everything they were saying sounded so right, of course, but at the same time, it did feel like they were \\Tapping tight, nylon cords around me, binding me so tightly. I couldn't breathe. It made me furious inside. My nerve endings felt like Heyden's guitar strings. twanged.
"Bath Miguel and I want you to enjoy yourself, have fun, have a social life." Mommy said. "Don't misinterpret our concern for you. Okay?"
I nodded.
Then I blurted. "We're going to the movies tomorrow night. After we look at a possible new guitar he might buy and then have something to eat." I added.
"Tomorrow, but I'm coming home tomorrow. I thought we'd have a relaxing dinner and talk about little Claude and things we could all do together," Mommy said.
"How can you come home tomorrow? Aren't you breast-feeding him anymore?"
She smiled.
"Yes, of course. but I'll pump milk for him that will be kept refrigerated and come back twice a day until he is released."
"Pump? Ugh," I said. Miguel laughed.
"It's not as unpleasant as it might sound," Mommy said. 'In time I'll begin to alternate formula and slowly wean him off. There is a great deal of evidence that babies are healthier when they are breast-fed." she insisted,
"I already promised to meet him and go to the movies," I said in a snappy voice. I didn't want to hear how wonderfully she was going to treat little Claude compared to how I was treated when I was born in the midst of a shattered marriage.
"Well, of course, if you have already made plans."
"Where will you go to eat dinner?" Miguel asked. "I don't know yet."
"Why don't you take him to Havana Malena, I'll call my brother and have them set you up, if you like." he offered. "My treat." he added.
I gazed at him with some suspicion. It was nice of him to make the offer, but in the back of my mind. I thought he was doing it just so he and Mommy could find out more about Heyden. On the other hand, the food was wonderful at Miguel's family's
restaurant. and Heyden might not be as embarrassed as he would be if I paid for Our dinner or even shared the cost. This way we were both being treated.
Can I have the car again? He doesn't have a car." I said. "Only a moped."
"I don't like you driving into that
neighborhood," Mommy said.
"It's not that 'bad, is it. Miguel?"
He looked caught in the middle. "Well. as long as you remain in well lit areas and just drive in and drive out. I suppose it's fine," he relented, "I would rather she was in a car and not on his moped anyway. Willow," he added.
She didn't look happy about it, but she reluctantly agreed.
"I'll ask Heyden about going to your family's restaurant and call you from school tomorrow. if that's all right," I said.
"Sure."
Mommy sighed. "I guess I just have to let you grow up," she said.
"Your father and stepmother let you." I replied.
She raised her eyes. "Oh, my stepmother would have let me out of the house to play in traffic when I was only five, if she could."
Miguel laughed and then she did. too.
"Time turns turmoil into comedy," she said, and he nodded. Then she looked at me. "You can go look at little Claude, if you like."
"I'm sure he's sleeping contentedly," Miguel said. The way he smiled at Mommy told me he was implying he would be sleeping contentedly if he had been little Claude and had just breast-fed. Mammy actually blushed and glanced at me to see if I had been perceptive enough to catch the small but clearly sexual suggestion.
Except for the time Selma 'Warden told us about her walking in on her parents making love when she was only seven, none of us ever referred to our own parents when we talked about love and romance and sex. Miguel and Mommy could be very affectionate toward each other. but I couldn't recall