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A Little Background . . .


     
Allivon's mother, Adele
        Allivon played on the floor in front of the iron stove, her paper dolls scattered all around her.  Outside the window, snow covered the wide lawn and sloping fields, and a dull gray sky promised more of the same.  From the dining room came the sound of her parents talking, her father’s voice firm and unyielding, and her mother’s plaintive.  She couldn’t make out the words and she didn’t want to.   Del had just returned from his work at the pharmacy, and soon enough she would be called into dinner.   Allivon was usually delighted whenever her father was home and Saturdays were always the best.  Since he only worked a half-day, Del often took her on an adventure after dinner.  Sometimes it was a sleigh ride or a visit to the library.  Today, however, he had not come into the kitchen where she was playing to toss her in the air and beg a kiss.  He had come in through the front door and swept her mother, Adele, into the dining room, saying he had something to discuss with her.  They had been talking for some time and Allivon was getting hungry. 
       Suddenly, she heard Adele burst into tears and run up the front stairs.  Del came into the kitchen and Allivon jumped up from the floor.  Del tousled her hair a bit absentmindedly.  “No adventure today, sweetheart, I have things to attend to.  I’ll see you this evening.”
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