A/N: I have a different disclaimer for this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Selma, Adloph, Gary, Eugene, and Anne. They're based on my mother's family but with different ages. (For those of you who're wondering, my mother is Anne.)

By the way, I updated my profile, so you can know a little bit about the author.

Happy 2006.

Do you know the expression "if looks could kill"? If they could, I would be pushing up daisies.

"Jaclyn," my mother said, "you are not welcome in this house any longer."

"I'm not going into that house!" I shouted. "I would much, MUCH rather be in Korea with the Communists than with you and your ladies' circle. I knew coming back here was a mistake, I knew it! I will never set foot onto this property again, as long as I live."

For once in her life, my mother was speechless. Absolutely speechless.

"Elliot," I said, "take me to Violet's."

My brother nodded, and I got back into the car.

Selma Carlson and her husband Adolph lived seven miles away from Stockton. Those miles seemed like an eternity. Elliot was a little shocked. He knows I get angry at Mother, but I have never yelled at her that way.

"Do they know you're coming?" asked Elliot as he pulled into the Carlsons' long driveway.

"Selma said I could come whenever I wanted," I answered as I got out with my bags.

The car pulled away, and I walked up to the house.

I knocked on the door and Selma pulled it open. She was a big woman with dark hair. Her husband had a wooden leg, but still worked on the farm. Gary, Eugene, and Anne were their kids--Gary was seventeen, Eugene was nine, and Anne was three.

"Jaclyn!" exclaimed Selma. "Oh, you're back! We've all been so worried."

"Can I stay here?" I asked.

I knew there was a reason I'd come to stay with the Carlsons. Selma said nothing, just gave me a hug and helped me with my bags.

"The war gal's back!" Gary exclaimed. He was sitting in the living room, playing checkers with Eugene.

"Yeah," I said.

Suddenly, I realized I was intensely tired.

"Selma?" I said. "Could I use a guest bedroom?"

"Sure," she said. "It's the third one on the right."

I went upstairs, found the room, and fell asleep.