A voice within me is sobbing$$$ "You see that's what's become of you. You're surrounded by negative opinions$$$ dismayed looks and mocking faces$$$ people who dislike you$$$ and all because you don't listen to the advice of your own better half." Believe me$$$ I'd like to listen$$$ but it doesn't work$$$ because if I'm quiet and serious$$$ everyone thinks I'm putting on a new act and I have to save myself with a joke$$$ and then I'm not even talking about my own family$$$ who assume I must be sick$$$ stuff me with aspirins and setatives$$$ feel my neck and forehead to see if I have a temperature$$$ ask about my bowel movements and berate me for being in a bad mood$$$ until I just can't keep it up anymore$$$ because when everybody starts hovering over me$$$ I get cross$$$ then sad$$$ an finally end up turning my heart inside out$$$ the bad part on the outside and the good part on the inside$$$ and keep trying to find a way to become what I'd like to be and what I could be if . . . if only there were no other people in the world.Yours$$$ Anne M. Frank.