Summer Sanctuary by Laurie Gray Page A

first, so I was thinking I could pick one, and you could pick one.” I tried to sound casual about it, but I could tell she was excited.
    â€œThat would be great!” Dinah exclaimed. “I can finally practice the stuff I’m reading from that
Blues Harp
book while I’m reading it instead of trying to remember it all for later!” She reached inside her backpack for her notebook and tore out a sheet of paper.
    â€œYou’ll need to write down the title and author so I can find it,” I told her.
    â€œI’ll need to write down more than that,” she chuckled. “I’ve been hiding the book in a section of old magazines nobody ever reads to make sure no one else finds it and checks it out.”
    I was pleased with myself for realizing that she didn’t have a library card and wasn’t going to draw attention to herself by applying for one. Not that her mother was around to sign for it. I’d been thinking about Dinah’s mother a lot. I had tons of questions.
    â€œDinah, can I ask you a question?” I ventured.
    â€œYou just did,” she replied. Her eyes told me that I could ask her another one, but not too much.
    â€œI was just wondering if your mother wouldn’t be worried—you know, if she called Jerry’s apartment and found out you’re not there,” I stammered.
    â€œI’ve been thinking about that, too,” Dinah confessed. “I wrote her a letter, and I’ve spent hours digging through the trash outside the post office thinking I might find some stamps, but no luck. I was thinking tonight I’d walk down to the mall and try to collect enough money out of the fountain to buy a stamp. I just have to be extra careful about mall security.”
    â€œI have a whole book of stamps at home,” I told her. “Mom got them for me before my friend Kyle left for the summer so I could write to him whenever I want. Do you want me to mail it for you?” I really wanted to see the address on the envelope so I’d know where her mom was.
    â€œHow about if you just bring me a stamp tomorrow?” Dinah suggested.
    I nodded and tried not to look disappointed. “I can do that.”
    â€œDo you want to read it?” Dinah asked, taking me completely by surprise.
    â€œYeah, sure. If that’s okay.”
    She handed me the letter, but there was no envelope and no address.
    Dear Mom,
    I miss you, and I hope that you’re doing okay. I’m counting the days until July 9. Please don’t worry about me. I’m having a good summer. I spend lots of time at the library with my new friend Matthew. He’s a couple of years younger than I am, but very smart and very sweet. He’s trying to teach me about the speed of light and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
    Do they let you go outside at all? I bet you miss walking barefoot in the grass at the park. I’ve been doing that every day for you. It makes me feel like you’re right here with me. I know you will be soon.
    I’ll see you at Jerry’s at noon on July 9.
    Love,
    Dinah
    XXOOXXOO
    P.S. I wrote you this poem:
    He is so young
    And yet so tall
    With perfect shape and form
    The sun’s his love
    The clouds his hope
    And he enjoys a storm
    There’s millions more
    That seem like him
    Tho different in a way
    A blade of grass
    That’s what he is
    The beauty of one day
    I read the letter silently and didn’t know what to say when I was through. It sounded like her mom was locked up in a mental institution somewhere. No wonder Dinah didn’t want to talk about it. Creepy Jerry probably drove her crazy. I wondered what they could do to her to make her sane again by July 9. Surgerymaybe, or electric shocks? Now I really wanted to see that address on the envelope.
    â€œNice poem,” I said. “I liked your Alpo poem, too. How many poems have you written?”
    â€œI wrote one for you last night,” Dinah replied.