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Desperate now I reached over and graspedit out the door and into the hallhere it hit the far wall and bounced It reat deal of noise

I listened

Finally I heard footsteps, but they were so slow and so weak sounding, ine them to be Aunt Victoria's footsteps It seemed to take forever for her to reach the door, but she finally did She was dressed in that ugly, faded pink robe and she earing what looked like ht and tired than I felt Her hair looked like a pack of rats had run through it Her eyelids drooped and her eyes were as dark as two pools of ink Without her usual perfect, if not stiff posture: her sloping shoulders made her older thinner She moved as if her muscles and joints ached et me off the driveway and back into the house hadn't exhausted her after all

"What is it? What's going on noas asleep," she muttered

"I want to get out of bed" I said "I needto eat and drink I'm parched"

She stood there, staring at me as if she hadn't heard a word "Aunt Victoria, did you hear me?"

"Guess what ca

She s robe's side pocket to produce what looked like a picture postcard She held it up and waited as if she expected I would understand

"Who's that froland or from Roy?

"From them Who else? Who else would have the audacity, the nerve, to send me such a card? I'll read it to you"

"Aunt Victoria"

"Dear Vikki," she began and then lowered the card and looked at me "She likes to do that so sisters and she can use a nickname She knows I hate nicknames and always have I never let anyone call ot theain:

Dear Vikki,

I just couldn't help but send you this card so you could see how beautiful it is here We are having a very nice ti to know and love each other all over again

I hope you're well