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Sunter sighed again. “Yes. A very popular meal.”
    She asked Theo several questions about the apartment and Theo was careful to say that it was warm and clean.
    This was like being on welfare, when every aspect of her and Rae’s life was constantly being scrutinized. “They’re such snoops!” Rae used to complain. That’s why she stayed off welfare whenever she could.
    But at least the counsellor wouldn’t make a home visit like a social worker would—then she’d find out that Rae was seldom there.
    â€œTheo, I want to ask you something very important now. Is your mother nice to you?”
    Theo pretended to look shocked. “Of course!”
    â€œShe never hits you?”
    â€œNever,” said Theo firmly. She remembered a line from a TV show. “My mother is my best friend.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear. Does she have a boyfriend?”
    The question came so fast that Theo didn’t have time to lie. “Sort of,” she admitted.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWell, she likes this guy she met in January—but she’s only seen him a few times,” she added quickly.
    â€œAre you sure, Theo? He doesn’t live with you and your mother?”
    â€œNo, he doesn’t. I told you, she hardly knows him.”
    â€œHave you met him?”
    â€œJust once.”
    â€œWas he nice to you?”
    Theo nodded.
    Ms. Sunter studied her and Theo tried not to look down. “Theo, you know that if anyone —your mother or her boyfriend or any other adult—was doing anything to you you didn’t like, you could tell me. If things ever got really bad at home you could go and live for a while with a family who would take good care of you until your mother was ready to have you back. Would you let me know if you wanted that?”
    Theo nodded again, but her face burned.
    A foster family—like Myrna had mentioned. Lots ofkids lived with foster parents. One girl in Theo’s last class said her foster family was mean to her. Another boy was very happy with his.
    That was the problem—how would you know what they’d be like if you couldn’t choose? And even if the family was nice, you would never really belong to them. Not like being in a real family—not like the families in books.
    Now Ms. Sunter was telling her how important it was to work hard in school. “ I grew up poor, you know. My family lived on welfare for years, but my brother and sister and I all went to university. You can do that too, Theo. I see from your test results that you’re very intelligent. Mr. Barker told me you wrote a wonderful poem, and the librarian says you read exceptionally well for a nine-year-old.” She smiled. “Perhaps you’re a dreamer. That’s not a bad thing. But you have to live in this world, Theo. Do you think you could start paying attention in class? Could you try a little harder to make some friends?”
    Once again, Theo nodded—the way she always did.
    â€œGood. One more thing, Theo. Do you have a shower or a bath in your apartment?”
    â€œA shower,” whispered Theo.
    Ms. Sunter looked her briskest. “It’s a good idea to have a shower and wash your hair every day. Does your mother forget to remind you?”
    Theo hung her head. The only times she took a shower were when her hair got so matted she couldn’t comb it.
    â€œYour clothes are in bad shape, too,” said the counsellor. “I know your mother must have a lot of worries and she can’t afford to get you new ones. Did you know we have a free clothing deposit at this school? Let’s go and pick out some things for you.”
    She took Theo’s hand and they went along the hall to a locked room. Ms. Sunter opened the door and found a lot of clothes for Theo—a patterned red sweater, two pairs of jeans, T-shirts, a sweatshirt and a quilted green jacket with only a few stains on it. Best of all