Matt and Robbie sit on their beds in their room. Matt working on homework and Robbie reading a book.

Ruthie walks in carrying the mobile phone.

"Robbie, it's for you," Ruthie says walking to his bed and handing him the phone. Robbie thanks her and

says hello into the receiver. Ruthie hops up on Matt's bed and asks what he's doing.

"Calculus," Matt replies.

"What's calculus?" Ruthie asks.

"Really advanced math that's really, really hard that most people don't like doing," he informs her.

"You want to go get ice cream?" she asks him. "It'll give you a break from all that hard homework." Robbie

hangs up the phone.

"Give me an hour," Matt tells her then looks at Robbie. "You want to come?" No response. "Robbie?" No

response. Matt wads up a piece of paper and bounces it off Robbie's head. Robbie finally turns to look at

them.

"What?" Robbie asks.

"Would you like to go get ice cream with us in an hour?" Ruthie repeats the question.

"No thanks," Robbie replies reopening his book. Ruthie shrugs and hops down, grabs the phone, and leaves

the room, closing the door behind her. Matt eyes Robbie suspiciously.

"What's the book about?" Matt asks but gets no response. Matt puts his homework down and leans over

and grabs the book out of Robbie's hands. Robbie looks at Matt in surprise.

"Do you want to read it?" he asks.

"Who was on the phone?" Matt asks.

"My mom," Robbie replies taking his book back.

"What'd she want?" Matt asks.

"Um, nothing," Robbie replies giving it careful thought. He closes his book and sets it down.

"Come on, something she said must have bothered you," Matt tells him.

"It's nothing," Robbie tells him as he stands up and walks out. Matt shakes his head and gets back to his

homework. He walks into the bathroom and shuts the door behind him. He walks to the window and stares

out at the overcast sky and begins crying silently.

To be contined…



"