“I just did it for laughs, Mother,” Kilty said airily.
“Then why were you that funny gray color?”
“I guess I got a little scared. Was I all right?”
Her father was looking at her as though she were a total stranger. He said, “You looked very lovely, Kilty. Do you want me to buy that dress?”
“Gosh, no! None of the girls wear dresses like that!”
They were making her uncomfortable, the way they stared at her. She could feel the people at the other tables staring at her as though she were famous or something. It really wasn’t a bad feeling.
Pete Trainor came over to the table. He was captain of the high-school football team. He too looked at her as though seeing her for the first time. “How about a swim, Kilty?”
“Sure,” she said, and stood up. They walked together toward the pool. Kilty taking short steps, carrying her head high.
Laura said, “Walter, I think... I see what you mean. It’s like losing something, isn’t it?”
Walter smiled slowly. “Don’t worry, honey. I don’t think it’s going to happen all at once. I think it may take a little time.”
Laura looked back toward Kilty just in time to see her trip Pete Trainor expertly into the pool and run with loose-legged stride to where Tommy waited on the high board. She went off without her bathing cap and Laura realized, almost with relief, that Kilty’s hair was going to be a mess.
