Free Kin by Lesley Crewe Page A

bloomed under her care. It was a happy day when Lila was given a fountain pen instead of a pencil. She worked hard at her penmanship, but, like Annie, she loathed math. For a girl who was very content to stay in one place, her fascination with geography was a bit odd, but Miss MacAuley made a point of letting Lila take home books that had maps in them. She would pore over them at night upstairs in her room.
    Lila didn’t have a lot of friends. Other children tried to befriend her, but Lila just preferred to be on her own. The kids knew that Joe and Eunie Johnson weren’t her real parents, but who was she, then, and where did she come from? Lila never talked about it.
    There were a few girls she liked, but they spent all their time giggling at the boys, and Lila avoided the boys. They looked at her as if they wanted something, and it made her nervous.
    One day after school, Lila crunched through the snow with Freddy at her heels. One of her classmates, Archie, ran after her.
    â€œWait up, Lila. Going home?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWant me to carry your books?”
    â€œNo, thanks.”
    Lila hurried along, but he kept up with her.
    â€œI wondered if you wanted to go to the show sometime.”
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œCome on. You can’t like being by yourself all the time.”
    She stopped. “But I do. I do like being by myself. I have to go now.”
    He reached out and touched one of her curls. “You have beautiful hair.”
    Lila slapped his hand away and started to run. When she realized he was chasing her, she dropped her school bag in an attempt to go faster, but he was gaining on her.
    â€œLeave me alone!”
    And he did. He stopped dead in his tracks. It took a moment before Lila realized why. Ewan, a heavy-set boy, came out from behind a tree and stood in his way. He stared Archie down.
    Archie spat. “What do you want, you dumbass?”
    â€œLeave her be.”
    â€œWhy, you want her for yourself? She won’t give you the time of day. You’re too stupid.”
    Lila went up to Ewan and put her arm through his. “I don’t want to go to the show with you because Ewan and I are going. Isn’t that right, Ewan?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œYou two deserve each other.” Archie turned around and walked away.
    Ewan picked up Lila’s books and gave them to her.
    â€œThank you.”
    Ewan nodded.
    â€œI’m sorry I lied, but he had no right to call you stupid. You’re one of the smartest people I ever met.”
    â€œI am?”
    â€œYes. The teacher asked us what a group of crows was called and you said a murder of crows. Everyone laughed, but you were right. I think you love animals, like I do.”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œYou’re also the nicest boy I’ve ever met, except for my friend David. He’s nice too. Today I’ll write in my journal that my hero saved me.” When she laughed, Ewan gave her a smile.
    â€œBye, Ewan! Come on, Freddy.”
    When Lila got home, she shrugged off her coat and sat at the kitchen table, catching her breath. Aunt Eunie walked in. “Did you run home?”
    Lila nodded. “Aunt Eunie, would you please cut off my hair?”
    â€œWhy? It’s so beautiful.”
    â€œI don’t want it to be beautiful and I need your help.”
    â€œOh dear, I love your hair.”
    â€œYou can keep the hair that falls on the floor.”
    â€œGee, thanks.”
    So Aunt Eunie cut Lila’s hair up to the nape of her neck. She sighed when she saw all the soft curls around Lila’s feet. “There. Are you happy?”
    Lila looked in the mirror and fluffed it with her hands. “Now I look more like Annie, which is a good thing. Thank you. Come on, Freddy.” She and the dog bounded up the stairs.
    The best time of day for Lila was in the early evening, after the supper dishes had been washed and put away. The family would gather in the parlour and