I Want To Live! Not

Amazing, Yetta Thought. Back Home I Couldn't Have Chosen My Own Husband. And Here I'm Thinking About Choosing Presidents, Governors, Mayors, Laws.

Oh, Myr," He Chokes Out. "i Hate Having To Ask This Of You..." He Glances Towards The Car Again, And I Crouch Down In The Shadows, Hoping It's Too Dark For Him To See Whether The Window Is Open Or Closed. The Woman Pats His Arm, Cradling Her Hand Against His Elbow. "you Know I'd Do Anything For You And Hil," She Says. I Like Her Voice. It's Throaty And Rich. "you'd Do Anything?" My Father Repeats Numbly. "even Now? After -?" "even Now," The Woman Says Firmly.

"don't Let Go!" He Orders. Harper's Hand Is Dry And Soothing, While Mine Is Sweaty With Fear. We've Never Held Hands Before. I Think About What It Means In The Village When Boys And Girls Only A Few Years Older Then Harper And Me Wander Around With Their Hands Clasped Together. They're Always Peering Dreamily Into Each Other's Eyes, Sneaking Sky Kisses...and Soon After, There's A Wedding.

The Government Justifies Keeping Everyone Else In Poverty Because People Seem To Work The Hardest When They're Right On The Edge Of Survival.

I Think I Learned A Lot From Reading In General - Even From Reading Badly Written Books.