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“Not your fault,” she said “It’s a tragedy, no doubt about it, but you didn’t cause it This guilt you’re carrying—” she shook her head “—it’s not yours”

“Someone should be punished”

“The world doesn’t work that way, Matt”

“Well, the world doesn’t always get it right” Matt ducked into the shed, pulling out two pairs of gloves He tugged on the ones with the hole and gave her the new pair “You can work,” he said, “but I’”

SAVANNAH HEARD Katie up in the tree, getting ready with her water balloon arsenal Funny, Savannah thought, wiping the sweaty hair off her forehead, three days ago she wanted to hurl the water balloons herself

She glanced over at Matt where he knelt on the ground, raves

Now, she didn’t knohat she wanted But it was tiuy Lord knows he suffered enough at his own hands without Katie’s help

“Katie!” she cried, just in time to halt the yellow balloon lifted in her little hand “I need to talk to you inside”

“But, Mom—”

She put down the shovel and stepped over to the tree, peering up into the branches at her daughter’s red round face

“Inside,” she said “Now”

Matt’s attention, his gaze, his presence ten feet behind her was as tangible as a hand at her back She didn’t turn around, wasn’t ready to reen eyes She was still too raw and vulnerable, her world still unsure without the guilt she’d carried for so long

She felt slightly newer, soht without the heavy protection of her hair shirt

Katie scra the whole time, and Savannah followed her into the house

“This stuff with Matt has to stop,” she said, once they got into the kitchen