"A beast," Samantha said. "A beast you've kept in a cage and all the sudden it's on the loose."
He took his hands away from his face and nodded. "Exactly. I don't understand where it came from. Maybe it's been there under the surface since Mom died."
"Me too," she said.
Neither of them said anything for a moment. Joseph finally put on his glasses and stood up. "Dad and I were talking and we think it'd be best if I stay over at Mrs. Schulman's until you and your friends leave."
He started for the door; he had started to pull it open when she said, "You don't have to do that."
"That's nice of you to say, but I don't want to make you uncomfortable-more than I already have."
"I want you to stay." Samantha kneaded the blanket in her hands as she worked up the courage to say what she wanted to say. "I know we got off to a bad start, but I think-" Her voice had begun to tremble to the point that Joseph handed the cup of water back to her. She drank the entire glass before continuing, "I think I'd like another chance."
"Really?"
"If you want. If you don't-"
"I want another chance. Of course I do. Unless you're not sure. I don't want to push you into anything."
"I'm sure. Really, I am," she said, trying to sound confident, but a quiver still came through.
"OK. I guess I should let Dad know then. I'll see you later." He stood there in the doorway for a moment, his face turning red. He took a step towards her, stopped, and then waved on his way out. Samantha waited until he left to smile.