Page 102 - Where the Dream Ends ebook

Marc Erdrich

Laura’s brother, who at twelve, was two years Brian’s ju-
nior, greeted him at the door with an air of indifference. Brian
followed him into a living room identical to his own, except
that the furniture was more expensive. Laura and her fami-
ly came from Tucson, which to Brian meant they had money,
since any family that could afford to travel must be at least
modestly wealthy.
Laura’s mother was seated at the dining room table. It was
really less a dining room than an extension of the living room,
but it was the place where everyone in Robin Hill had their
meals, because it was the only place in the house to put a table
big enough to eat.

Brian sat down across from Laura’s mother.

“So how have you been Brian? How come we don’t see
more of you? she asked.
Before Brian had a chance to answer, Laura came bouncing
down the stairs.

“Hi,” she said coyly, brushing her hands against Brian’s
shoulders as she swept past him. She sat down at the end of
the table, between Brian and her mother. Brian was sure Laura
liked him, by the way she flirted. He was attracted to her, in
a manner he didn’t yet understand, but he was too shy to do
anything about it. In school, she was always arm in arm with
some guy, and she would hardly give Brian the time of day.
Which is why he liked to stop by the house, sometimes. She
was different when they were alone. They would sit at the table
with Laura’s mother while she questioned them about school.
Eventually they would go into the TV room alone. If Laura’s
brother wasn’t around to bother them, they would sit shoulder

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