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He exhaled slowly "Yes, I guess it is," he said as he turned and started for the door "And stop takingthis business will alleviate your guilt?"

He didn’t even slow his stride, but I’d stung him I felt it in one quick burst before he disappeared around the corner

After stewing a few athered myself up and walked back into Cookie’s office

"We’re so busted He knows about the coffee"

"He’s wrong," she said without looking up fros were hurt

"No, I’ve really been taking his coffee" I sat in the chair across from her

"I’ that whole honesty-is-the-best-policy business

She stopped typing and focused on me "No I love this job Nobody does e do Nobody saves lives like we do How could anyone ask for more?" Her passion surprised me I’d never realized how she felt about e did

I forced a smile across my face "He’s just upset He’ll calht a moment, then said, "Maybe … maybe if you told him"

"Told him what?"

"I mean, he knows you can see the departed, Charley He would understand Really he would Even your sister knows you’re the gri like that What would it to do hiri had such a bad rap

"Give lanced down atagain? You kno I feel about that stuff"

She chuckled "I’ to read your palm Give me your hand"

I did, reluctantly

She took it into both of hers and leaned toward me "If Amber were capable of what you’re capable of, I would be so proud of her I would love and support her no matter how creepy her job title"

"But you aren’t like ly "Your dad has always supported you All of this negativity, this pent-up aggression and self-loathing--"

"I hardly loathe myself Have you seen my ass?"

"--all of it is because of your stepmother, the way she’s treated you Not your father"

"My step "But I don’t know if I can tell Dad Not that Not the gri" I pulled ht make him feel better about all of this, if he knew you had more on your side than just your ability to talk to the departed"