excerpt from A Good Place for Maggie
by Ofelia Dumas Lachtman

The old man's words stayed with her as she drove up into the mountains. She began to feel shaky. This was the first time she had driven outside of Los
Angeles. Still, last night she had poured over maps and writen everything down; she knew exactly where she was going. So far, everything had been all
right.
Even getting away from home this moming hadn't been too bad. It was spring vacation, and her mom and stepfather were away on business. The only
person she had to explain to was the neighbor woman who looked in on her. The hard part had been figuring what to say to her mother. She had sat staring
at a blank sheet of paper for a long time.
She knew what she wanted to write: "Dear Mother, It was bad enough after the divorce, being without Dad, I mean. After a couple of years I got used to
seeing him mostly on weekends, but now it's worse. Because he's dead. Three whole months and I still can't believe it. Maybe you can't help being away so
much, but with both of you gone it's awfully lonely. Sure, there's been school, and I did have dinner at Mim's house and a move with Lorena on Saturday. But
the good things are missing. Dad. Dad. Dad. I don't feel that I'm part of a family anymore. Jase is a good enough stepfather, but I told you both how I felt
about that condo in downtown LA and you guys went ahead and bought it. It's a terrible place. All there is to breathe inside is processed air and outside, car
exhaust. My vote doesn't count, does it, Mom?"
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That's what she wanted to say, but didn't "Mom," she finally wrote, "Tve gone to Twisted Creed. Papacito said he'd be there if I needed him. He won't mind.
After all, he is my only living grandparent. r drive carefully, I promise. Please, please don't be mad at me." Then she had shoved two more sweaters into her
suitcase, picked up her paint box and favorite brushes, and left. Once she was out of the city traffic, she had relaxed. But now..


Select the correct answer.
What can the reader infer about Maggie's character in the excerpt?

A. Maggie has not driven by herself before.
B. Maggie left home because she was unhappy there.
C. Maggie did not have any friends in Lose Angeles.
D. Maggie left home because she misses her grandparent