That night my father got home late, well after supper. Stew and I barley got a two words with him before mother sent us upstairs to get ready for bed. Stew ran all the way up the stairs but I stopped at the top, wanting to see what was up. Usually, even if father got home late, mother would let us stay up until after he'd eaten.

I listened as mother made father a plate of food. She asked him how his day was and he sounded tired. There were a few seconds of silence before mother finally told him what happened at the Kessle Estate. He didn't sound too interested as he ate, not until the very end.

Mother told him Mrs. Kessle wanted me to come back tomorrow and read for her son. Father scoffed and I smiled, thinking I might not have to do it. However after a long pause mother continued, telling father Mrs. Kessle wanted to pay us. There was another long pause before mother mentioned the two dollars. I heard father drop his fork on the floor then. It made such a rattle that I flinched.

Father started having a coughing fit and I wondered if he was choking on something. When he finally settled, he asked mother to repeat what she'd just said. I almost didn't hear him he was so quiet. I carefully scooted down two steps so I could hear better. Mother told him again that Mrs. Kessle wanted me to read to her son for two dollars. My father declared mother must have misheard but mother insisted, she hadn't.

I knew about money but not a lot. I knew you needed if for almost anything and that we didn't have very much. I reckon two dollars must have been a lot because dad kept asking mother to repeat herself. At one point, he even got up and started pacing around the room. Apparently two dollars was twice what he made in a single day.

He paced so much that I had to move back up the stairs so he wouldn't see me. When he finally sat back down. he asked mother to start from the beginning, to go over everything very slowly. Mother admitted the place unsettled her and that Mrs. Kessle didn't look all that well. She was too thin and had looked down upon on us. I was glad I wasn't the only one who had noticed. Mother used a few other words to describe Mrs. Kessle but I wasn't quiet sure about their meaning…I had a feeling they weren't good words.

The tone of Mother's voice was strange and she questioned why Mrs. Kessle would pay so much for just...a reading. Father also seemed skeptical too as far as I could hear they both didn't like it. I though that meant I wouldn't have to go back. I was tired from not getting much sleep the night before I decided to go to bed before I got caught snooping.

I went upstairs and checked on Stew. He was already asleep, he hadn't even made it under the covers. He was such a little kid, I covered him up and then went to bed. I slept really good that night too and woke up early. I was ready to rush outside like I always did and have fun with my friends but as I was eating breakfast mother said I couldn't play today. I got upset but mother threatened to make it two days, if I didn't go upstairs and wash up.

When I was finished, she had me sit on the couch all morning, while she cleaned. I wondered what I'd done wrong and kept asking why I couldn't go out and play but she wouldn't tell me, she just told me to sit and be quiet, which any kid knows is the worst. Being quiet is hard enough but sitting still I was so bored.

Mother wouldn't even let me talk to Chuck, when he knocked at the door, wondering where I was. He played kick ball outside my house for a while and I waved to him through the window but he didn't see me, at least he didn't wave back. I pouted the entire morning hoping mother would let me go out but she didn't. She just kept cleaning and taking care of the babies. Stew ran in and out of the house a few times teasing me. I was ready to pound him but mother threatened to make him sit on the couch to. He ran outside and didn't come back after that not even for lunch.

At lunch I ask mother why she was so mad at me, just what had I done to wrong her. She said she wasn't mad, which made no sense, again I asked why I couldn't go out and play. She told me she didn't want me getting dirty before I was suppose to read to Mrs. Kessle boy. Oh how I threw a fit then, I screamed and hollard so loud the whole neighborhood heard me. I thought for sure mother was gonna ground me and make me stay in my room but when the carriage arrived to pick me up, she got out my dress again and had me put it on. I cried the entire time and I swore up and down I would not go, I would not read to the mummy.

I would not do it no matter what...she could not make me but as any kids knows...your mother can make you do anything. Before I knew it I was sitting in the back of that stupid carriage with my arms crossed, mother even put a dump bow on my head. She made it clear to be on my best behavior or I'd be sitting on the couch for the rest of my life. I didn't say anything back but I think she knew how I felt.

The carriage took off and it was a hundred thousand times worse riding in it because I had to do it alone. To make matters worse as we pulled off my block I saw Chuck, playing with Stew, his mouth dropped as he realized where I was going. He chased after the carriage but but after a block, he just stood there…He knew it...I knew it...I WAS A GONER!

It was one thing. to enter the Kessle house for a few minutes and survive, it was another to...to go there a second time and for hours. When we got to the house, I got out slowly, somberly. Dr. Stayle went to close the front gate and I wondering if I could rush past him and escape but alas I knew...even if I could outrun the old doctor and make it out the gate...eventually...I'd have to go home...and face my mother or even worse my father...

I groaned thinking maybe if I died… my parents would regret sending me here. After all the horrific things I had told them...after all the warnings I had given them...they would have no one to blame for my death but themselves. I shook my head in disgust, wondering what kind of parents could give their daughter up for lousy two dollars. Maybe...maybe it was because they also had Patty Jane that they thought they could spare one daughter.

Dr. Stayle slowly returned and walked up the stairs to the porch. He called to me before h went inside. I dragged my feet but I fallowed. When I got inside Mrs. Kessle was already there waiting for me. She looked down on me once more and hissed.

"Don not drag you feet child and stand up straight. Did you parents not teach you any manners,"

I quickly did what she asked, even thought I didn't want to...Mrs. Kessle scared me...The way she looked at me reminded me of a hawk before they would attack field mice. I bit my lip and she hissed, "Don't bite your lip,"

"Sorry mam,"

"Mrs...my name is Mrs. Kessle,"

"Sorry Mrs. Kessle."

She let out a heated breath and then turned on her heals. As she started up the stairs she said, "Don't doddle today…since I'm paying you I don't want you wasting any of my precious time."

I didn't say anything I just clenched my fists and followed her up the two flights of stairs. When we got to the hallway my knees began to buckle. I swallowed hard not wanting to go back into that dark dark room but what choice did I have.

"Child," Mrs. Kessle called, "I will not warn you again,"

I quickly rushed into the room and was surprised to find it had been changed. It wasn't as dark as before. There was also a small table and chair in the room. It had a candle and book on it. I suppose that was where I was suppose to sit. Thankfully it was far away from the bed and the curtains were still drawn. I couldn't see the mummy at all and hoped I wouldn't… maybe...maybe if I didn't see the mummy he couldn't hurt me. It made sense to me… After all I had survived yesterday...of course...I had seen a hand...or a claw but maybe I didn't see anything at all.

Mrs. Kessle walked up to the small table and tapped on it, "Come here," I walked over and she pulled out the small chair. I sat down and she instructed me. "You shall read this book until your time is up. Read slowly and pronounce your words clearly or I shall not pay you a cent. Do you understand?"

I nodded but she wasn't satisfied, "When I ask you a question respond, now do you understand."

"Yes," I said

She turned then and walked over to the bed. She disappeared behind the curtains and I heard her cooing again. I couldn't make out what she said, eventually she called out to me, "Begin!"

I finally looked at the book, it was small, a children's book, it only had a few pages with picture and small words. I was happy to know I could read it, though it was a bit hard to see in the candle light. Still, maybe I could pretend I was at home reading to my little brother. I smiled at the thought, feeling less uneasy and began reading. "The Hippo and the Duck."

As I read I heard more sounds and wheezes of excitement like yesterday. I tried to ignore them and soon the book was done. It must have taken me five minutes...maybe ten… When I was done I shut the book, wondered what she wanted me to read next but after a minute she called out, "Again, just keep reading it until your time is up"

I sighed but read the book again and again and again, for...hours. By the time I went home I could knew every word of The Hippo and the Duck. I could also tell you every single picture. I nearly died alright, died of boredom.

When my time was up, Dr. Stayle took me home. It was almost dark when I got home. I marched up to my room without a word to my mother and change my dress. Dr. Stayle had a word with my mother. I watched him leave thought my bedroom window and then heard mother cry out.

I ran down wondering what was wrong. She had a small envelope in her hand and just kept looking at it. She looked so happy. I was still so mad. I ran back up stairs and stay in my room until supper. I didn't even set the table but mother didn't seem to care. I heard her dancing around the house humming to herself as she cooked dinner.

When my father came home I finally left the room. He was in just a sour mood as I was. I was glad someone else knew how I felt. However as soon as mother came up to him and showed him the envelope he cheered right up. He picked mother up he was so happy he spun her around the room and then he came over to me and did the same thing. He hadn't picked me up since I was seven. I was surprised.

When he set me down he wanted to hear all about my day. I told him all about it. How dark it was and how I had to read The Hippo and the Duck a hundred times. He just smiled at me the entire time and then we had dinner. Mom gave me extra of everything and even asked me what kind of cake I wanted. Adults could be so weird, just this morning she was being mean and now she wanted to bake me a cake and it wasn't even my birthday.

I told her I wanted chocolate with chocolate icing and I wanted nuts on it. My brother stuck out his tongue and said he didn't want any but father said we could have extra nuts and mother would make it for me tomorrow. I admit I was in a good mood...up until bed when I learned what was in that envelope.

Apparently Mrs. Kessle had paid my parents two dollars for a full week. It was like a lot of money but that meant I had to read for a FULL week. I was depressed but mother reminded me of the cake that would await me. I groaned but knew it didn't matter what I said. I knew they'd make me go again. I just told mother the chocolate cake better be the best cake I ever had. Mother just laughed and tucked me in but I was serious.

The next morning it rained, mother said I couldn't go out to play but if Chuck came over he could play inside. I was excited I wanted to tell him how things had gone but of course Chuck didn't come over. I told my brother to go get him but Stew was still mad I wanted nuts on my chocolate cake. He just kept sticking his tongue out at me. I stuck my tongue back out at him and my tongue was bigger.

Dr. Stayle came like he did the day before. I put on my dress and got into the carriage. Mrs. Kessle was there and just like yesterday there was a table, a candle and a book. The book that day was The Squirrel went up Tree. It was a longer book but just as dull…after the twelfth time, with the room so dark, I nodded off.

I woke to Mrs Kessle shaking me. She was so mad. I didn't think her face could get any thinner, or scarier but it did. She glared at me and said, "How dare you fall asleep! I paid your family good money for you to read. You will read or I will take back my money!"

I knew if she took back the money, my parents would be really sad and mad at me. I quickly sputtered, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry. It's just...the same book gets old. I get tired reading it over and over again,"

Mrs. Kessle clicked her tongue at me and said, "YOU WILL READ WHAT I-'
"I agree," said the voice behind the curtain.

Mrs. Kessle immediately stopped yelling at me and tilted her head towards the bed. He voice soften "What's that my precious?"

"I want more books, more books, no more old books!"

Mrs. Kessle let out a heavy sigh,"Of course Mommy will get you more books,"

I heard clapping and Mrs Kessle smiled before glaring down at me, "Don't you move."

She stormed out of the room and I sighed. After a minute or two the room was so quiet I heard laughter outside. I realized the rain had stopped I couldn't helped myself, I went to the window and looked out. I could see the empty field it was muddy but my friends they were playing. I saw Chuck, Carry, Andrew, the Shane brothers, Mike and Derek and even the dreaded Fillo brothers, they were playing stick ball. They must have been having a rematch without me.

I frowned wishing I could be outside with my friends, instead of in this dark, stuff, old house reading baby books to the mummy. I let out another heavy sigh, knowing I needed to get back to my seat before Mrs. Kessle caught me. I turned and paused, seeing the curtain on the bed was slightly open. I...I couldn't help but look.

I held my breath and my eyes widened as I was prepared to be utterly horrified and yet what I saw...didn't match up with what I knew. I expected to see a monster, a disfigured creature beyond my nightmares, a demon child and yet...I saw...I saw a child not unlike myself.

I stumbled forward tying to take in all that I was seeing. The mummy looked more like a girl then a boy with his long hair. His hands weren't claws but hands and his face was a face. He just seemed...small...and reminded me of my little brother when he would get really really sick. I took another step and the floor board beneath me creaked. The mummy titled his head but didn't look at me.

"Mommy," he called his voice quiet, "Mommy?"

I kept looking at him wondering what was wrong with him but I couldn't see it. I just...didn't understand? Was this boy really the mummy? Surely not…He moved his head from side to side and then he lifted his hand, it shook as he reaching out. I tilted my head wondering what he was doing? And then Mrs. Kessle returned!

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" she cried staring down at me.

I knew I'd messed up! I quickly scampered to my seat as she rushed to the Mummy.

"Are you okay sweetie...Are you alright?"

"Yes," the mummy said, "Was that you?"

"Yes it's me," said Mrs. Kessle.

"Oh," said the mummy, he sounded disappointed. There was a moment of silence and then a hopeful, "More books?"

"Yes yes, I got more books," said Mrs. Kessle

I heard him squeal with delight. Mrs Kessle walked over to my table. She glared down at me and then set the book on the table. I swallowed, this book was thicker and there were no picture.

Mrs. Kessle's tone was dull as she said "Read it and no more interruptions,"

"Yes Mrs. Kessle," I said.

I opened the book and it was dusty. It looked like it hadn't been used in forever.

The words were tiny and there were no pictures. It was a book of poems… I had never read such a book before but did the best I could. There were a lot of words I didn't know but I managed through them until my time was up.

That night, I left the Kessle Estate in a daze. The rest of the night was a blur. The next morning I woke to Chuck, knocking at my front door. Mother said I could play but I wasn't allowed to leave the block. I skipped breakfast and ran outside with Chuck. He wanted to know what I'd been doing.

"You know Amina, for a best friend you are gone a lot,"

"Its not my fault," I protested. "I had to go back to the Kessle Estate."

Chuckie paused. "Stew said you did but I thought he was joking."

"He wasn't I...I have to read to the mummy...for like a week,"

"NO WAY," said Chuck, his eyes were like saucers. Mine would have been too if it was the other way around.

"Yes and...I have to tell you something..."

"What?" asked Chuck. He got up close and I made sure no one else was around. I figured no one in the world would believe what I was about to say, expect for Chuck. I knew my best buddy in all the world had to believe it when I whispered, "I saw the mummy"

"AND YOU LIVED!" shouted Chuck, stumbling back.

"I'm standing here ain't I," I said.

He looked at me skeptical, "You didn't see him."

"I did, I did and..." I whispered quietly, "He's not deformed or nothing..."

"What," said Chuck. He sounded even more skeptical but I went on.

"He...he looks just like you or me...only when were like sick and stuff,"

Chuck shook his head, "Stop fibbing Amina,"

"I ain't...there ain't nothing wrong with him... as far as I could see."

"No no, "said Chuck shaking his head, "No one sees the mummy and lives. AND even if SOMEHOW SOMEWAYS THEY DID. EVERYBODY KNOWS he ain't like us. HE'S A MONSTER! A REAL MONSTER," He tried to scare me, making his face look all funny.

"HE IS NOT..." I shouted back crossing me arms

"IS TOO!" said Chuck crossing his arms as well.

"You calling me a liar," I said putting my hands on my hips.

"YES!" said Chuck, he copied me again putting his hand on his hips. "I AM!"

"Well I'm not lying," I said point to myself.

"You are to…" said Chuck.

"AM NOT!" I shouted

"ARE TOO," He shouted even louder.

I was mad at him….beyond mad at him. Here he was my best friend, he was suppose to believe me. Believe anything I told him and he didn't. I pushed him and roared "AM NOT"."

He pushed me back "YOU ARE TO AMINA LARK AND I DON'T LIKE LIARS,"

"I AIN'T A LIAR AND AND I DON'T LIKE YOU CHARLES ALBY," I said I shoved him really hard.

It was on then...an all out battle between the worlds two greatest fighters well for kids. I he shoved me back and I kicked him, he pulled my hair and I pulled his hair. He pinched me and I bit him. I would have beaten him if Stew didn't run crying to our mother.

He ran back in the house and she came running out a moment later. She pulled Chuck and I apart and said we couldn't play anymore today. Which was fine by me. Chuck didn't say anything he just ran away like a baby.

Mother told me to go to my room until it was time to go. I stormed upstairs to my room, angrier then ants that my best friend thought I was a liar, when I wasn't. A few minutes later, I heard a rock hit my window and ran over to it. I saw Chuck outside and he stuck his tongue out at me and did something with his hands I'm not suppose to do but I did it back anyway. He ran off and that was how I lost my best friend CHARLES MAC ALBY. Good riddance!