Page 82 (1/2)

I liftedI can do…” I trailed off because she knew, I’d said that a o, Phoebe and I had been with Marlene and Circe’s Dad, Harold, every step of the way but with every dead end, every disappoint nored thenore Dad but he told on me to Mo it, Cora, I pro around too, your folks, Harold’s buddies, Circe’s old friends But if there is, I’ll tell you I promise, honey, okay?”

I sucked in breath and my voice trembled when I replied in a whisper, “Okay”

“We’ll keep looking,” she told ive up”

I closed ain Then I opened theet you home”

Home

God Yes, hoet home

“Okay,” I said softly

“Bye, honey”

“Bye, Marlene”

I flipped ain and called the private investigator I hired He didn’t pick up so I left a voice hiand I knew this because the assle never called and therefore nothing was getting done

He was overweight, had bad teeth and stared at my brsts the whole time I sat in his office He also deht was a little steep but I gave it to hi on it” though it sounded like he was at the racetrack

I sat with my butt to the floor and stared atator

Then I sucked in breath in order to move

It hurt to move It hurt to sit It hurt to lie down It hurt to sleep It hurt to breathe

And every day, it hurt worse

I wasn’t bleeding,out

But I was dying Dying inside, I could feel it

Slowly, I walked through the bathrooh the bedroo voices and stopped, leaning against the wall to hold myself up Then I listened

“I’m worried,” Moets worse every day”

“Is she taking her vitamins?” Dad asked as if vitamins would help with this

“I don’t know She picked up the prescription the doctor gave her when he confiret the them” Mom said

“One of us should stay with her all the ti her vitareed,” Phoebe said instantly “I can ht”

“I can take the days,” Moive you a break,” Dad told ain