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An hour later, ere all upstairs, sitting at the table around a half-eaten cheese and cracker tray, an ee, lasses poured Peter and Veronica talked about their ski vacation, and how Peter’s skiing skills weren’t quite as advanced as he thought

It felt good to laugh, to listen to Saet to know theht; I did have Julianne’s eyes And for the first tiht that Julianne Alderman was beautiful, inside and out The bottom half of my face was from Sam I had the same thin top lip with the M-shape in the center, and the full bottoht the sas about me

Julianne reached across the table and held my hands "YouI’oodness sake But I told the you back tobaby I knew, but they said I was just tired Then they said it was the horh the years, other mothers said they had the same fears because of the stories you hear"

"Julianne, I think it’s time we let Erin rest She has school to with the buttons on her silk blouse; then she began to tremble "II don’t know if shedo you want to?"

"Why doesn’t she stay here for the night?" Veronica said "After she calls Ms Easter and lets her knohere she is?"

"We don’t have a phone," I said "And she doesn’t reallyI don’t think she’s expecting me"

That seemed to upset Julianne

"We have some of Whitney’s clothes still here You’re welcome to them," Veronica said

"Do you want to stay here?" Julianne asked

"I would appreciate that," I said, feeling eed Julianne to stand with hied her until she finally yielded, but not without giving

When the door closed, Weston, Veronica, Peter, and I stood in the front roo at each other

"Erin, you can stay in Whitney’s old room This is a bitunorthodox, but I think it’s in your best interest until Sao froal standpoint, this is all a little fuzzy since you’re no longer a hter Whatever you decide, they’re going to make sure you’re well taken care of Weston, show her to her roo day"

Weston nodded and led me up the stairs by the hand Whitney’s room was on the opposite end of the hall from Weston’s She had her own enormous bathroom, with a tub and shower and a linen cabinet that spanned fro, fluffy towels Weston checked to make sure there was soap and sha else you need froreement