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8 || ALL BUT NORMAL<br />
could attach to her wardrobe. Little sisters Connie and Gail,<br />
twelve and ten years old, respectively, listened from the doorway.<br />
“She just wants to go driving with that boy,” Connie<br />
whispered. Gail nodded.<br />
“Well, you’ve got plenty <strong>of</strong> clothes,” their mother said.<br />
“Can’t I trade this for something new?” Bev pressed. “It’s<br />
our vacation. I want to wear the right thing.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> day had been full <strong>of</strong> rushing around. Betty had<br />
packed for all five daughters, <strong>of</strong> whom Bev was second oldest.<br />
Darkness had fallen over the leafy northern Indiana city, and<br />
suitcases lined the walls <strong>of</strong> the tiny home, ready to be shoehorned<br />
into the wood-paneled family station wagon for the<br />
next day’s journey. From the living room, sounds <strong>of</strong> voices<br />
on television drifted in as their father, Russell, finally got <strong>of</strong>f<br />
his feet for a bit.<br />
“Are you all packed up?” Betty asked.<br />
“I think so. Yes.” Bev could sense a weakening in her<br />
mother’s resistance.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>n go ask Daddy.”<br />
Bev’s eyes gleamed. She paused before walking toward the<br />
living room, gathering her thoughts, her eyes ref lecting the<br />
words she was about to say.<br />
Everyone knew Bev was clever and highly intelligent and<br />
not a schemer. Her sisters considered her the kindest and most<br />
playful sister. Her giggle was infectious and smart, not silly. It<br />
emanated from a warm heart that loved to laugh. She spent<br />
a lot <strong>of</strong> time with her younger sisters—playing make-believe<br />
school in the basement and volleyball in the park, and rollerskating<br />
and bike riding on the sidewalks around their house.
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