Free The Lights Go On Again by Kit Pearson Page A

things he did every day. He wondered why she was so interested, but he chatted to her about his friends and Bosley and Cubs. Every time he sounded enthusiastic about something, like getting a home run or enjoying a book, she smiled and said “Good for you.” So he was careful not to tell her anything that would make her stop smiling—nothing unpleasant or confusing about Mick, or Eleanor.
    At last she came to the subject of his parents. “Do you feel sad about what happened?” she asked kindly.
    Gavin squirmed. He couldn’t tell her he didn’t—then she wouldn’t think he was a good person. He nodded, trying to look doleful.
    â€œHow much do you remember about them?”
    Gavin swallowed hard. “Well, of course I remember them—but not as much as Norah does.”
    â€œIt would be very natural if you didn’t remember much,” she said. “Or if you don’t feel very sad. After all, you were only five the last time you saw them.”
    She smiled and Gavin gave her a timid smile in return. So he didn’t have to remember—that was a relief. He would have liked to tell her how much he wanted to remember, for Norah’s sake. But he thought of Aunt Florence’s words. This woman was a stranger; he didn’t know her at all.
    â€œAnd how do you feel about going back to England?”
    Gavin thought fast, so she wouldn’t find out what a coward he was. “I’m sad about leaving the Ogilvies of course, but I’m English, ” he explained, remembering Norah’s words. “That’s where I belong.”
    She seemed to believe him. “Good for you!” she repeated. She sighed. “It’s going to be much harder for your sister. Being home will bring back so many sad memories for her.”
    She stood up. “ You seem to be coping very well, Gavin. You’re a brave little boy, and I’ve enjoyed talking to you.” She shook his hand and walked him to the door. Then Aunt Florence went in.
    â€œShe was so nosy!” said Gavin. “What did she say to you, Norah?”
    â€œOh … nothing worth mentioning.” Norah buried her nose in a National Geographic magazine. Gavin left her alone. Finally Aunt Florence came out and they all went home.
    â€œDr. Wilson says that Norah’s reactions are completely normal,” Aunt Florence told Aunt Mary that evening when Norah was upstairs. “We just have to wait. She assures me she’ll get over it with time.”
    â€œThe poor dear,” sighed Aunt Mary.
    Aunt Florence smiled at Gavin. “And she says you’re doing fine, pet.”
    Gavin felt as if he’d passed some sort of test—a test he’d cheated on.

7
    The Dog Show
    E aster passed very quietly in the Ogilvie household. Usually they went to the Royal York Hotel for Sunday dinner after church, followed by a walk on the boardwalk at Sunnyside. But this year they just came home and had a small ham. Gavin munched on it gloomily. He didn’t like ham, but he couldn’t complain when it was so hard to get.
    Today was April Fools’ Day as well as Easter. But this year he couldn’t substitute salt for sugar at breakfast, or tell people things like “There’s a spider in your hair” or “Your shoe lace is undone.” The family was still too sad for jokes. Since April the first was on a Sunday he couldn’t even enjoy the tricks they always played in school. And now it was past noon and April Fools’ was over anyway.
    Norah had refused to go to church. “I don’t believe in God any more,” she told the aunts bluntly.
    â€œBut Norah!” cried Aunt Mary. “It’s understandable that you would feel that way, but when something terrible happens you need to go to church!”
    â€œWell, I’m not,” said Norah. “I’m never going again and you can’t make me.”
    Aunt Florence opened her mouth to