“Like being free,” said Mrs. Gunter. “People here in the
United States are free. Mr. Fremont is free to hire Kim or
not hire her. And Kim is free to take the job he offers her or
not. Later on, if Kim decides to try to find a different job,
she is free to do it. If we decide to pack up our stuff and leave
Brooklyn, we are free to do it. Also, we are free to say what
we feel like saying. That’s what liberty means. It means being
free to do what you wish, say what you wish, and think what
you wish. Do you understand?”
Kurt nodded.
Mrs. Gunter went on, “The Statue of Liberty reminds
us that we are free. It reminds us that liberty is a priceless
thing.”
Kurt looked back at the Statue of Liberty. He was
thinking of all the things he was free to be when he got
bigger: a baseball player, a shop owner, a banker, a baker, a
race car driver, a spaceship driver.