November Blues Read Online Free PDF Page A

television.
    â€œYou know, I just read in the paper that there’s a big sale at Macy’s. Why don’t you and I go shopping tomorrow? We could take a look at a pair of those new slim jeans you’ve been wanting.”
    November looked at her mother as if she had suggested a brain transplant, and, even though she hadn’t really meant to, she exploded. “You are so shallow, Mom! Why is it whenever something isn’t quite right you have to fix it with something trifling like shopping? Maybe I don’t want any skinny jeans!”
    â€œWhat on earth has come over you?” her mother replied, looking both hurt and angry—a combination look that only mothers know how to do, November thought glumly. “I’ll not have you talking to me like that. If you don’t want to go, just say so.”
    November looked down at the pale blue carpet. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, her anger disappearing like an extinguished flame. “I just don’t feel good today.”
    â€œIt’s always fun shopping with you, November,” her mother said. “You know it’s not what we buy, but the walking through the mall together, talking about some of theoutrageous outfits people show up in, eating cheesecake in the food court. Maybe we need a day like that real soon.”
    â€œYeah, you’re right.” November brightened a little. “I’ll never forget how you used to surprise me by coming and getting me out of middle school at lunchtime to take in a movie matinee and a shopping trip.”
    â€œHighly improper and loads of fun!” Her mother laughed. “I’d tell my school secretary, and then the secretary at your school, that you had a doctor’s appointment—and we’d blow the day on each other!”
    â€œI hope I can be as good a mom as you are,” November said quietly. “I don’t think I could have survived what you did, Mom—all the bad stuff—I’m not strong like you.”
    Her mother reached over and gave her daughter a hug. “Years from now, when you finish college and get married and are ready to think about starting a family, you will be an outstanding mother. I’m sure of it.”
    November twisted out of her mother’s embrace. “Maybe not.”
    Mrs. Nelson touched her daughter’s forehead. “You do feel a little clammy. Are you sure you aren’t getting sick?”
    â€œI might be. Those kids at the YMCA are always wiping their runny noses around me. Maybe I picked up a bug or something.” November stood up. “I’m going to bed early, okay?”
    â€œI think that’s a good idea.” Mrs. Nelson picked up the mail then and sifted through it carelessly, tossing sales catalogs directly into the trash. She stopped abruptly and inhaled as she read the return address on the business-size white envelope. “November! The letter from Cornell is here!” she said, her voice sounding a little shaky.
    November, instead of jumping up with excitement as she knew her mother expected, simply shrugged. “It’s no big deal—it’s just the information about the Cornell program.”
    â€œOf course it is!” her mother insisted, holding the letter as if she was dancing with it to the beat of the music on the radio. “You’ve been so excited about this! Open it! Open it!”
    November took the letter and looked at it without smiling, without comment. She ripped the edge of the envelope, tapped it on the coffee table, and the single sheet of folded paper inside fell out. Her mother, still dancing with excitement, hovered closely. November picked up the letter, unfolded it, and read it out loud in an expressionless voice. “We are pleased to announce,” she began, “that you have been accepted in the Cornell University Summer College. Welcome to what could be the most personally rewarding, academically enriching, and