Read Last Leaf on the Oak Tree for Free Online Page B

their college student sleeping like a toddler on a road trip in the back seat.
    Monday Paulette had the luxury of sleeping in, and she enjoyed the bliss of having clean sheets, clean laundry and clean room, all taken care of by her Mom. She loved the home-cooked meals and family time around the dinner table. She told her Mom and Dad of how much she had enjoyed the art practicum and how Biology was not her favorite subject. She had really enjoyed Psychology, another surprise, and discussed with them the possibility of becoming a Psychology Major. She didn't have to declare a major until the end of her fourth semester, as it took that long to complete the undergraduate prerequisites. Her parents encouraged her to wait until the end of her sophomore year to declare her major for her studies.
    When she began to tell stories of her time with PJ, her voice took a soft, warm tone of affection.
    Paulette's mom immediately noticed the difference in her stories and the feelings conveyed in her voice.
    "Are you serious about PJ?" she asked, a little on the concerned side. She wasn't sure yet that Paulette had mature judgment, given the fiasco of the past summer. Lauren's death had taken a toll on Paulette and her mother. Her mother had moved closer to Lauren's mother, but Paulie had run to alcohol instead.
    Paulette answered, "I could be. We are not at that stage yet; we've only exchanged our first kiss. We are at the "I really like you stage now." Paulette did not inform her Mom that PJ attended AA or that they were dating steadily. She didn't mention her relapse either, thinking those days were over.
    Mackenzie, one of her old drinking buddies, dropped by that evening to invite her down to the river. Paulette saw her mom lingering in the kitchen to eavesdrop, so she shook her head towards her mom and said, "No, I'm just going to relax here at home." Then she mouthed at Mackenzie, "What time?"
    Mackenzie held up eight fingers. Paulette said "not tonight," but did not voice it aloud. Mackenzie got up to leave, and Paulie hugged her goodbye. Paulie whispered into Mackenzie's ear, "I will come one night, but not tonight. We're having company tonight."
    Mackenzie and Paulette said their goodbyes aloud, and then Mackenzie went on her way. Paulette's Mom came back into the living room and asked, "What did she want with you?"
    "She wanted to invite me to a welcome back party, but I told her I wasn't interested. She said okay and went on home." Her mom nodded in relief.
    "I'm glad you told her you weren't interested. I don't want to see you back with that crowd," remarked her mom.
    Tuesday was another lazy day at home. The temperatures were crisp and cool; duck hunters were in the marshes and riverbeds and the sound of gunshots echoed in the early morning hours. Her father came in with a cooler of ducks, dressed and ready for the freezer. Paulette was fantasizing about glazed duck when her dad challenged her to a game of Scrabble.
    Thanks to her increased education, and many games of Words With Friends online, Paulette soundly tromped her dad at Scrabble. They placed the game back in the cupboard, and everyone agreed on an after lunch nap was on the agenda.
    When Paulie awoke, her mail was placed on her bedside table. She picked up the letters and placed them aside, for two of the envelopes came from the U of M. She hurriedly tore open the envelopes, eager to see her grades from the exams. The first was from English, where she made an A. Hurray! The second was from the Psychology Department, where she scored another A! This was good!
    Paulie went leaping down the stairs to share the news with her parents. She briefly thought about calling PJ but decided to wait until the rest of her marks arrived.
    Wednesday morning was drizzly and cold. Her Dad still went hunting but came back chilled and grumpy. There were ducks everywhere, but he couldn't see them for the rain. He feared his total take for the morning was going to be pneumonia. He wrapped