Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume

lot."
    "That's disgusting!" I said.
    "What is?"
    "That Dad would give my ticket to Carla and that she would take it!"
    Bruce shrugged. "What'd you do all weekend?"
    "I did nothing. . . that's what!"
    "Oh." He picked up a stone and tossed it. It
    skimmed along the water. "Let's go home now, okay? Dad wants to talk to you before he leaves."
    "I'm staying here until he's gone."
    "But . .
    "Why don't you go tell him that for me?" I shivered and hugged myself, trying to keep warm.
    Bruce reached into his pocket and pulled out a ski hat. "Here," he said, dropping it in my lap. Then he ran up the hill to our house.
    My eyes filled with tears. I sniffled and checked my pockets for a tissue to blow my nose. But the pockets were empty. I pulled on Bruce's hat.
    A few minutes later Dad parked his car by the side of the road. "Steph . . ." he called, waving for me to join him.
    I acted like I didn't even notice.
    So Dad came down to the pond. "We missed you this weekend," he said, sitting beside me on the log.
    I didn't say anything.
    He picked up a stick and began scratching the ground with it. "I'm sorry you found out the way you did. Mom and I should have told you sooner."
    I still didn't respond.
    "Look. . ." he said, "I just want you to know that no matter what happens I'll always be your father."
    "Did you read that in some book?" I asked.
    "Some book that tells you how to talk to your kids when you're separating because you're bored with your life?"
    "I didn't read it anywhere," Dad said. "It's how I feel. And who told you I was bored with my life?"
    "Mom. . . who do you think?" A squirrel ran in front of us. I watched him for a minute, then I looked over at Dad. "Is it true?"
    "I suppose it is in some ways . . ." Dad said. "But it has nothing to do with you or Bruce."
    "Does it have to do with Mom?"
    "Not with Mom exactly . . . but with the direction of our marriage."
    "And all this time I thought you had to go to California." I practically spit out those words.
    "We needed time apart . . . to think things through. . ."
    "So how come you couldn't think in Connecticut or New York? How come you had to go across the country to think?"
    ~'It seemed easier at the time." He glanced at his watch. "I've got a plane to catch."
    "Planes are more important than families, right?"
    He sucked in his breath but he didn't deny it. "I want you and Bruce to come out to L.A. over Christmas," he said. "We'll have more time to talk then." He leaned over to kiss me but I pulled
    away from him. "You're making this very hard, Steph."
    "Good," I told him.
    Rachel called that night. "Our weekend was a disaster!" she said. "My brother was so obnoxious
    he had Mom and Jessica in tears . . . Dad lost his temper. . . and finally, Charles stormed out of my aunt's house and went to stay with friends. I don't know why he has to be so impossible. I don't know why he can't get along with us. Anyway, I can't think of a worse Thanksgiving!" She paused to catch her breath. "So how was yours?"
    "Great."
    "How was your father?"
    "Great."
    "What'd you do?"
    "We ate a lot."
    Rachel laughed. "Did you go to the city?"
    ''No.~~
    "I thought you would."
    "No time."
    "When will your father be back?"
    "He's not sure."
    "For Christmas?"
    "Probably."
    "Well. . . the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas always goes fast."
    "Yeah. . . right."
    "Oh, I almost forget," Rachel said, "I made All-State Orchestra."
    "You did?"
    "Yes. The letter was waiting for me when I got home. Stacey Green made it, too. We're going to be really busy with rehearsals. ln April there's a concert. You'll come, won't you?"
    "Sure."
    "Well. . . I'm glad you had a good weekend."
    "Yeah. See you tomorrow."
    An hour later Alison called. "Hi. . . I'm home."
    "How was your Thanksgiving?" I asked. "Leon and Sadie had a fight." "How could anybody fight with Sadie?" "She says Leon's the only one who ever does." "I thought he's so proud of her." "Yeah, but see . . . Sadie's friends are always dropping off