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to do with Kathy. Give her away in bits and pieces. Elly swallowed. “I don’t want anything.”
    “It isn’t something you have to decide right now. Someday you’ll be glad you kept some of her things. I took her baby book.”
    For a moment, Elly feared that her mother might break down. She pleaded silently,
Don’t, Mom. Please don’t
. Then she asked, “What’s Dad want to keep?”
    “He won’t even come into her room.” There was an edge of bitterness in Mrs. Rowan’s voice. “Pretending it never happened won’t make it go away.” Elly realized her mother wasn’t speaking to her, but was saying something about her father.
    “I—I think I’d like to go downstairs now.” The walls of the room were closing in on Elly. She felt Kathy’s presence everywhere she looked.
    “I’m glad you came to her room, Elly.”
    Elly hurried out, stumbling with her crutches and almost falling headfirst into the door. The last thing she remembered before shutting the door was the scent of lavender seeping through the air.

    * * * *

    Everywhere Elly went in school on Monday, she felt people staring at her. She head them whispering behind her back.
Poor Elly . . . So sad . . . What do I say to her?
She knew they stopped laughing and talking every time she came into a classroom. She lifted her chin and smiled bravely. By lunchtime, her face felt as if it would crack from all of the false smiling.
    Kenny Hughes volunteered to get her lunch tray and carry it to the table for her. At one time, this would have sent her soaring into the clouds. Now it only made her nervous and hostile. “I can manage fine.” But balancing the tray and crutches was impossible for her.
    “I don’t mind. Any time you need help—”
    “I don’t need anybody’s help!” she snapped.
    Kenny ducked his head slightly. “Here comes Joy. I’ll see you later.”
    Elly watched him scurry off and almost regretted her snippy tone.
    “Spare yourself food poisoning and skip lunch.” Joy plopped beside her.
    Elly twirled her fork in the unappetizing glob of shredded beef and noodles. “I’m not hungry. I have a headache and I wish this day would hurry up and end.”
    “You could call your mom and go home if you wanted.”
    “I don’t want to go home either,” Elly said through clenched teeth. “I just want everybody to stop whispering behind my back.”
    “Gee, Elly, everybody’s just sorry. We don’t know what to say to you.”
    Elly grabbed for her crutches and shoved her chair backward. “I’m getting out of here. I don’t want everybody feeling sorry for me.”
    “We can’t help it. We miss Kathy, too.” Joy’s eyes looked misty, and Elly hobbled away from her before she, too, began crying.
    In English class, Mrs. Wenzel welcomed Elly back and asked if she thought she could catch up. Elly replied that she could do her work and that she’d done extra reading in the hospital. She tried to pay attention during class, but her mind kept wandering. She doodled on her notebook instead of taking notes. When the bell rang, Elly almost jumped out of her skin. She started toward the door, but Mrs. Wenzel stopped her. “Elly, could you come up here, please?”
    She hobbled obediently to the front of the room. She forced a big smile on her face.
    “How are you doing, Elly?” Mrs. Wenzel asked.
    “Just fine. I think I’ll be ready for your test on Friday.”
    “I mean, how are you and your family doing? I spoke to your mother. She tells me it’s been very hard on all of you.”
    “I’m okay.” Elly fought down a rising wave of panic. She didn’t want her private feelings spilled all over Mrs. Wenzel’s desk.
    “There are support groups, Elly—”
    “What?” Elly shuffled her feet. She felt sweat on the grips under her hands.
    “Support groups. People who have gone through the same thing your family is going through. Counselors and kids just like you. People who’ve lost someone close to them.”
    Elly felt her cheeks flush