Everything's Changed

Everything's Changed — page 7 — Later I think Mom might be going bonkers I just saw her sitting on the floor in the living room unpacking a box full of photo albums I asked if she could FINALLY find a stamp for me It s been HOURS since I asked her the first time She didn't answer at first Instead she looked around her at all the boxes and bubble wrap and half filled garbage bags plus the stacks of books and folders and games and binders that haven't been put away yet Why wouldn't I be able to find a stamp she said after she'd glanced at all of that Then she said How about a teeny tiny button Would you like a teeny tiny button too Then she started laughing And she DID NOT STOP She leaned back and put her hand on her chest and laughed and laughed and wiped tears from her eyes and laughed some more I should've been annoyed Because I really need a stamp and she was making fun of me But all that laughing was contagious I had to laugh some too I left her on the floor in there shaking her head and grinning And now I’m taping my entire letter to Lula in here Since I'm obviously not getting a stamp any time

Everything's Changed — page 8 — Dear Lula I miss you so much already I can't believe I'm starting a new school tomorrow without you and Violet I don't want to go I'm not going to know a single person We never brush our teeth Mom and Dad keep saying You'll make friends You ll see But they can't know that right What if all the kids in my class have bad breath Or what if I mess up What if I sneeze one of those wet sneezes in class for example and I don't cover my face fast enough and snot and slobber gets on everyone around me They’ll call me Sneezy for the rest of my life And no one will want to get anywhere near me Not without protective

Everything's Changed — page 9 — My desk is next to 5's The teacher won't let Y me move I know you’d still like me even if I had a sneezing catastrophe I wish I could come see you right now I can't believe I'd have to walk for FIVE HOURS to get there Or take two different subway trains for more than an hour We might as well be in Kentucky I feel mad at Mom and Dad for moving us so far Even though I know their reasons They've told me over and over We needed a bigger place since Granny’s staying with us and we have to hire a live in nurse for her And they couldn't find a bigger apartment that we could afford in or near our old neighborhood But they should've looked harder

Everything's Changed — page 10 — Jo let me borrow her phone earlier to call you but no answer Ill try again later if she lets me I wish I had a phone I miss you Tell Violet hi Love Celie who would like to be doing this walking walking walking to see Lula MUCH later I woke up very worried a little while ago The clock on my tiny dresser said 2 18 A M I thought I could hear Dad's cell phone ringing and phones should not ring at 2 18 A M Wrong number I thought Or emergency And then I thought GRANNY Because Granny is staying with Cousin Carla until we

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