Modern Screen (Jan-Jun 1945)

a xmas she'll never forget She sat down at the end of a bench near the radiator, took off her hat and shook out some of the water, adjusted her braced back to the back of the seat. If not for the brace, she wouldn't get tired so quick. Three years now she'd been wearing itthree years since she'd been caught under that falling tree in front of Granny's little house. And the doctor said she'd have to wear it two more years at least. Well, anyhow they'd stopped shaving her head where the wound had been. Her hair was getting almost long enough to stick a bow in— if she had a bow — My, it was nice and warm here. The radiator was even making her drowsy. She leaned her head back, and pictures began forming ... Last Christmas at Granny's. Something twisted inside her, the way it always did when she thought of Granny. But last Christmas she'd still been happy. Come to think of it, she'd never been sad in Granny's little house. Not even through those long months in bed after the accident. Granny 'd always been there to make her feel good, and Mother stayed with them a lot. It didn't cost as much as coming out to Long Island. All she had to do was ride to the end of the subway line for a nickel, then take the streetcar. Last Christmas she'd come in laughing out of . the cold and put her packages under the tree. June's present was the loveliest white silk blouse. This ChristmasJune's eyes filled. She knew she'd been bad, but .it hadn't seemed so dreadful when she did it — All she wanted was to keep her father's picture for a while, so she could look at it again. She'd never seen a picture of her father. She'd always kind of hated to ask Mother, because it might hurt her. But it wouldn't hurt Auntie, who wasn't even related to her father — So she'd begged till Auntie finally showed her the picture. Just for a second, without giving her a chance to see what he really looked like. It wasn't enough for June. So after the others were asleep, she tiptoed out and took it from the dresser drawer and slipped it under her pillow, thinking she'd take a real good look in the morning and then put it back. Generally, she woke up early but this morning she didn't. She was just kind of half waking up when Auntie came in. "June, did you take your father's picture?" "No," she said sleepily, (Continued on page 85) Holiday parties always include marshmallow roast She has no Hence with games, would rather chat. Home from date, she bee for housekeeper Bess' room, and they sit m dark and gab like k twin June sleeps all year in flannel pyiams. In summer u*« bed near window; in winter, moves to one near door. Toy horse "Tomby" came from ex-fiance named Tommy, stands near bureau 24