Gifted Touch Read Online Free PDF

other feelings about going back?” Ms.
    Abramson asked.
    She knows it’s bull, too , Anthony thought.
    Rae used both hands to push her curly hair away from her face. She raised her eyes to the ceiling, as if she were looking for an answer graffitied up there.
    “I’m a little nervous, I guess,” she said finally. “But I know I’m ready.”
    Total bull. Anthony waited for Abramson to call her on it. But she didn’t.
    “We’ll all be eager to hear how your first couple of days went at our next session,” Ms. Abramson said.
    “That’s it for today. I’m sorry we didn’t get around the whole circle. We’ll make sure we get to everybody we missed next time. And if anybody needs me, feel free to call.” She handed Rae a card. “That has my home number on it and the number here. It’s never too early or too late.”
    Anthony didn’t even get the chance to stand up before Jesse was in front of him. “Got a new skateboard. Want to see it? It’s at reception. They wouldn’t 36
    let me bring it in.”
    I have three little brothers. I really don’t need another one, Anthony thought. But Jesse was basically cool.
    “Sure,” he said. “I’ve just got to take a leak. I’ll meet you up there.” He grabbed his jean jacket and headed for the door. When he stepped into the hall, he saw Rae up ahead of him.
    “Hey, new meat,” he called out, without exactly deciding to do it first. “Rae or whatever.” She turned around but didn’t take a step toward him. Trying to do her a favor and she has to be all snotty, he thought as he headed up to her. But she had been decent when Abramson came up to them during that drawing exercise, so he kind of owed her one.
    “If you want to be able to stop coming to our little parties anytime soon, you’re going to have to start giving it up in group,” he told her.
    “What are you talking about?” she asked.
    “I’m talking about how you’re looking forward to going back to school and seeing all your friends. I’m talking about bull. Didn’t you see Abramson’s face?
    She wasn’t buying it,” Anthony answered.
    Rae pulled the straps of her purse higher on her shoulder. She opened her lips, like she was about to say something, then snapped them closed.
    “If you want out, you’re going to have to put on the show. Talk about your feelings. Crying a little 37
    wouldn’t hurt.”
    Rae didn’t say thanks. Didn’t say anything. Okay, payback was over. If she didn’t want to listen, forget it. He swung his backpack over one shoulder and started past her.
    “It wasn’t bull,” she called out.
    Anthony turned around to face her. “Oh, come on.
    We’re talking school. You’ve got to know everyone’s going to be talking about you on the first day back, staring at you, wondering if you’re going to go nuts again. Somebody’ll probably ask if they gave you electric shock.”
    The muscles in Rae’s throat started to work. She knows it’s true, Anthony thought. She knows she was feeding us a line in group.
    “That’s not how it’s going to be,” Rae insisted, but her voice came out husky, and Anthony thought he saw a sheen of tears in her blue eyes.
    Great, Anthony thought. This is what I get for trying to help somebody out. In another minute she’s going to be blubbering, and I’ll have to deal with it.
    He twisted his head to the side, trying to crack his neck. “Look, I’m not exactly jumping for joy at the thought of going back to school myself. In fact, knowing I’m going to have to be there tomorrow makes me want to puke. It’ll suck for you. But you’ll live.”
    38
    Rae’s chin came up. “I really don’t need advice from a guy in a Backstreet Boys T-shirt,” she lashed out. At least she didn’t sound like she was about to bawl anymore.
    “Fine. Stay in group till you’re eighty. I was just trying to help you out,” Anthony told her. His arms were itching to cross themselves over his chest and block out as much of the Backstreet Boys