- 9.
The next evening, Mom came into my room
with a bowl of soup, smiling.
“You’ve been studying so hard. I know you’re
tired,” she said, concerned.
“I made you ginseng soup. It’s good for you.”
She put the bowl down beside me, looking
hopeful.
I glanced at the steaming soup and smiled.
You brought this on yourself.
I reached up, and brushed my hair behind my
ears.
“I want to finish this problem first. I’ll drink it
later.”
Mom bit her lip, frowning.
“Drink it soon, or it’ll get cold.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll drink it when I’m done. Mom,
can you leave me alone? I need to
concentrate.” I said.
She kept looking back as she left, telling me
to drink it soon.
Once she was gone, I set down my pen.
The next morning, I heard someone opening
the front door quietly.
Footsteps crossed the wooden floor.
Their destination was my bedroom.
Three, two, one…
A scream, like a knife, cut through the air.
I opened my eyes.
The show was about to begin.
I walked out and saw Mom chasing Mr.
Peabody with a baseball bat.
“What did you do to my Rory! Get out! Get
out!”
Г
I heard things crashing.
The man, pulling up his pants, ran out of the
room.
Rory sat naked on the bed, giggling.
Mr. Peabody ran out the door, tripped over
his pants, and fell flat on his face.
Mom jumped on top of him and started
hitting him with the bat.
“Why did you hurt her? Why?”
Mr. Peabody covered his head, screaming.
“What are you doing? Mr. Peabody, Mom!?”
<
I pretended to be shocked.
It was early, but people were already at the
park next to our house.
They heard the noise and came running.
Mom stopped, glaring at me. “Why are you
here? Why weren’t you in your room last
night?”
