A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt [pdf : 288k]
: Divorce; Fathers and sons
: Newbery Honor Book, Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book, Horn Book Fanfare
: Grade 6
: Note
“Did she leave you a note, too?” the professor asked Jeff. Jeff nodded (Nod yes and pick up note) “Do you want to read it?”
The professor shook his head quickly. (Nod head no) “Is there anything for dinner?” Jeff nodded. (Nod head yes, put note down)
The professor headed for his study, “Can we eat at 6:30?” Jeff nodded again (Nod yes) and sat down at the kitchen table to do his homework.
When he was finished he set the table. Tonight wasn’t really any different. He often made a hot dog dinner for himself and his father, the professor. In fact, he was pretty good at it, if he did say so himself. His mother, Melody, couldn’t always get home at dinner time because she was working to make the world a better place. She planned demonstrations and sent out letters against air pollution and water pollution and hunger and bombs.
But as he boiled the hot dogs and toasted the bread and cut up lettuce and tomatoes, he forced himself to admit, it was different tonight. Melody wasn’t coming home, not tonight or any other night. She had gone, left them. Her note said so.
Jeff and the professor ate their dinner in silence. The professor went back to his study. Jeff cleaned up the dishes. He went to his room.
In the darkness, he whispered, “What will I do?” And he began to cry. (Hold up book) A Solitary Blue by Cynthia Voigt.
