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Cary entered and quietly closed the door He stood there gazing down at the floor for a long htness made him squint

"What is it, Cary?" I finally asked

"I was just wondering what happened up at Grandma Olivia's," he said

"Somehow, Cary, I think you already know," I said and looked quickly froly toes They were too big, but Robert said they were perfect He clai about uely thought I'm far from perfect

"What do you azed at me and I stared back, undaunted

"Soht, alone with Robert"

"So? Anybody could have told her that, Laura Anyone could have seen you go there Maybe you told one of your friends at school Maybe you bragged about it to Theresa Patterson," he added quickly "Maybe--"

"Maybe you told her, Cary," I said firmly

"I would never--"

"Cary, for as long as we have been alive, you couldn't lie to ood job of it now either," I said "I don't knohether to just cry or scream my loudest at you"

He stared

"Ito her," he admitted "She'swell, you don't knohat it's like to be interrogated by her She called o and--"

"Why didn't you tell me, Cary?" He was silent "Were you ashamed? Was that it? Ashamed that you betrayed me?"

"Yes," he admitted

"Why? What happened?" I asked "Cary, youthese silly ga? You would know if you said so, Cary"