Daddy was in a high bed that was folded in half some way. I couldn't understand it,but I sure wished I could have one like that----then when Mama told me to lie down and go to sleep I wouldn't because my bed wouldn't let me.That would be fun, for a change.He looked alright to me I didn't know why he kept going to that place anyway.He couldn't like it better than home because he didn't even have a television there
Daddy was in a high bed that was folded in half some way. I couldn’t understand it, but I sure wished I could have one like that----then when Mama told me to lie down and go to sleep I wouldn’t because my bed wouldn’t let me. That would be fun, for a change. He looked alright to me . I didn’t know why he kept going to that place anyway. He couldn’t like it better than home because he didn’t even have a television there
I sat as quietly as possible.My trouble was that I wanted to hug him and I was afraid of what Mama would say if I climbed up on his bed to do it.I didn't know why she would mind----I only knew she would.Sometimes she said I was too rough.But I was such a little girl and Daddy was so big...how could I hurt him?I thought there must be some other reason why he couldn't wrestle with me like he used to.Maybe he was too tired. My parents talked for a long time while I looked out the window and played with my brother and sister. I didn't like that place and I wanted to go home. There didn't seem to be anything to do there. Then,all at once,we were leaving
I sat as quietly as possible. My trouble was that I wanted to hug him and I was afraid of what Mama would say if I climbed up on his bed to do it. I didn’t know why she would mind----I only knew she would. Sometimes she said I was too rough. But I was such a little girl and Daddy was so big…how could I hurt him? I thought there must be some other reason why he couldn’t wrestle with me like he used to. Maybe he was too tired. My parents talked for a long time while I looked out the window and played with my brother and sister. I didn’t like that place and I wanted to go home. There didn’t seem to be anything to do there. Then , all at once, we were leaving
Daddy called me to his bedside and told me to be sure to say my prayers.I said I would and kissed him quickly on the cheek.I remembered how smooth his face was that day and I was surprised by it.Usually his cheeks were covered with a fine stubble which always tickled me like the first grass of spring tickled my toes._That day his face had been like a shiny stone.The absence of the red growth had changed him somehow---he wasn't the same anymore.It was probably because of the hospital.They probably made him shave in that place.That's another reason why he should have come home;if he were at home he could do anything he wanted to---no one would make him shave.In any case,we were going then and I didn't have time to ask him about it.I was glad to leave that building.The people in there were sick...except,of course,my Daddy.He was not sick at all
Daddy called me to his bedside and told me to be sure to say my prayers. I said I would and kissed him quickly on the cheek. I remembered how smooth his face was that day and I was surprised by it . Usually his cheeks were covered with a fine stubble which always tickled me like the first grass of spring tickled my toes. That day his face had been like a shiny stone. The absence of the red growth had changed him somehow---he wasn’t the same anymore. It was probably because of the hospital.They probably made him shave in that place.That’s another reason why he should have come home;if he were at home he could do anything he wanted to---no one would make him shave. In any case,we were going then and I didn’t have time to ask him about it.I was glad to leave that building. The people in there were sick…except, of course, my Daddy. He was not sick at all
As I settled comfortably into the depths of the sofa,I noticed a dust web in the corner of the low ceiling and it took my mind off the hospital for a moment.And as my thoughts returned to the long halls and treasure-filled rooms I was startled by the shrill sound of the telephone.That made me angry-now Mama would get up and find that I wasn't sleeping yet.Why did somebody have to call then anyway? Just as I had suspected,the light went on in the bedroom. Mama came into the shadows of the living room,bringing with her the rays of yellow light.My eyes.now accustomed to the darkness,turned instinctively away from the light.Besides,I had to pretend I was sleeping,and it was easier if I turned my face in the opposite direction from my mother
As I settled comfortably into the depths of the sofa, I noticed a dust web in the corner of the low ceiling and it took my mind off the hospital for a moment. And as my thoughts returned to the long halls and treasure-filled rooms I was startled by the shrill sound of the telephone. That made me angry—now Mama would get up and find that I wasn’t sleeping yet. Why did somebody have to call then anyway? Just as I had suspected, the light went on in the bedroom. Mama came into the shadows of the living room, bringing with her the rays of yellow light. My eyes, now accustomed to the darkness, turned instinctively away from the light. Besides, I had to pretend I was sleeping, and it was easier if I turned my face in the opposite direction from my mother
Mama spoke for only a few minutes,asking questions like when?and how She shook me then and told me to go into my own room.I knew it-the telephone call would ruin everything.Then she woke my oldest sister.In a few seconds the whole house was buzzing with some sort of news."At eleven o'clock.""...it had to happen sometime...we were expecting it..”.too young to be dead.”I heard these phrases,but I couldn't put together their meaning
Mama spoke for only a few minutes, asking questions like when? and how ? She shook me then and told me to go into my own room. I knew it—the telephone call would ruin everything. Then she woke my oldest sister. In a few seconds the whole house was buzzing with some sort of news. “At eleven o’clock.” “…it had to happen sometime…we were expecting it…” “…too young to be dead .” I heard these phrases, but I couldn’t put together their meaning