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Giving Up

Austin returned on Monday to continue my

therapy My doctors had told hiradually build back up to the progra Consequently, we spent a lotoutside He toldthat he never really liked the way his father treated his mother

"She works with him at the plant Actually, I should say she works for hie in tone of voice, no war She doesn't even kno much money they have

"For as long as I can res the way my sister Heather Sue and I do I mean, she needs his pers My father has a business er who reviews their household expenditures as well as their business expenses and gives hiories have gone up in any dramatic way Then we have the Spanish Inquisition at my house!"

"Doesn't she complain?" I asked "She likes it that way"

I knitted ether

"I swear She's one of these old-fashioned woe of these things She likes being dependent I think"

We were outside, under the sprawling old oak tree to the right of the house A pair of squirrels watched us suspiciously They seemed to freeze in midair when they stood up or turned, their eves always on us

The sky was streith thin long clouds that the wind spread like cream cheese over the deep blue For us it was a welco the humidity away

Austin was on the grass, sprawled on his back besideup with his hands behind his head Suddenly, that looked so inviting to me

"I want to lie on the round too," I said

"Do it," he challenged "You don't need anyone's permission orhelp"

I lifted th, leaned onwith our exercises and then tried to lower racefully, but I toppled to my left and fell over him instead He screa me there for a few seconds I turned and our faces were inches apart Our eyes locked He smiled

"Nice try" he said and lifted his head just enough for his lips to reach the tip of ain