Promises to Keep Read Free Page A

Susan squealed in disbelief, Annie rushed on, “And we were fishing together and then afterwards he asked me to come to his house for lemonade and I met Mrs. Quincy. Their house is like a mansion , Mama.”
    The dishes abandoned, Annie spread out her arms in as large a circle she could make. “They had a light hanging in their hall this big. And the hall is lots bigger than our living room and kitchen together.”
    “You’re lying,” Susan hissed. “You didn’t go over there. Why would Travis Quincy want to fish with you, anyway? He’s so gorgeous, and you’re a flat, skinny thing.” She flung her dishcloth into the sink as she faced Annie. Only Mary’s quiet admonishment kept her from saying more, and she subsided into a fuming silence.
    Mary watched Annie’s cheeks bloom red from Susan’s angry words. “Annie, tell the truth. Were you at the Quincy house today? Did you really meet Travis?” It wasn’t that Mary didn’t want to believe her daughter, but it seemed far-fetched a boy like Travis would pay any attention to a ten-year-old girl from the wrong side of town. Oh, the Quincys weren’t any better than her family, she knew this. But they were rich and, because of that, probably unapproachable. In all her years living in Thompkin, she’d rarely seen Ruth Quincy in town.
    Annie rubbed away her tears. “I’m not lying, honest. I was at the pond trying to fish, and my line was all knotted up. Travis was there, too, and he tried to help me, but we couldn’t get the knots out. He forgot to bring worms so I shared mine with him, and he let me use his pole. We caught lots of fish.” Suddenly crestfallen, she added, “Only I left mine at the pond. I bet they’re all dead now.”
    She brightened again as she finished her story. “Then we went to his house and I helped him clean his fish, and their cook Martha gave me lemonade and a brownie, and I got to meet Mr. Quincy, too. He’s a lot nicer than his wife,” she confided.
    Susan grumbled, “I can’t believe you got inside their house. I’ve wanted to see it forever. What’s Travis like? Is his voice as dreamy as his face? Did you tell him about me?” She fired rapid questions at Annie, who only blinked at her, while Mary hid a smile behind her hand.
    Annie stammered, “He’s cute and all. You know he is, Suze. You’ve seen him around town. And why would I tell him about you? That’s so dumb.”
    “ Don’t call me Suze. And it is not dumb!” Susan screeched. “I bet you didn’t meet Travis Quincy at all. Why would he want to hang out with a bratty kid like you? You’re such a liar—”
    “Susan, enough . Apologize to your sister right now.”
    As Susan mumbled a resentful apology, Mary scolded, “I don’t know what gets into you sometimes. You know better than to say such hurtful things. I think you should finish up in here, and Annie can get started on her bath. And I want you in bed early tonight.” Mary pulled Annie toward the stairs when Susan protested about how life was so unfair. Mary rolled her eyes as she herded Annie upstairs.
    In the bathtub, while Annie scrubbed herself, Mary brushed the tumbled hair back from her daughter’s forehead. More and more, she resembled her daddy, and Henry Turner was the love of Mary’s life. It thrilled her to see his wonderful features on Annie’s delicate face. Mary also knew Susan, as the older sister, enjoyed feeling superior.
    Unfolding a towel, Mary wrapped it around Annie and patted her thin shoulders dry. “Honey, you know not to let Susan make you feel bad about yourself. Don’t you?” She cupped her hand under Annie’s chin, raised the wounded brown eyes to hers.
    “It wasn’t that, Mama. I don’t really care about the mean stuff she says. I hate it when she doesn’t believe me. I wouldn’t lie.” Annie sniffed while Mary handed her a tissue.
    She took her daughter’s hand in hers, squeezing the small fingers. “I believe you, and so does your sister. I’ll bet