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“For God’s sake, Elena,” she said bracingly, “you have no hope ofit as a sculptor You’re inability to make rent proves that You’ve tried this for three years now, don’t you think it’s time to throw in the towel?”

Elena took a deep breath

“And by throw in the towel you mean--”

“Move back in with us for a little while,” Bridget said “Daddy will set you up in one of his businesses, and once you’re back on your feet, you can get a place of your own”

Elena didn’t say anything She had a billion thoughts flitting through her head, but not one of theue She looked back and forth between her mother and her sister, and finally, she turned her back on them and walked away

Chapter4

Neal blinked at the open space in front of hi, but he took a step forward and the ground seemed steady beneath him He took a deep breath and shook his head

“Can you repeat that again,” he said calmly, “I don’t think I heard you correctly”

The sound of Clifford’s voice was deep, resonating and sy that Neal had heard the first ti a cruel trick on hi any sense

“Neal?” Cliff’s voice sounded concerned “Neal, are you listening to me?”

“I… I was up late last night,” Neal said apologetically “I think I’ sense I’ll call you back when I can get ht”

He heard Cliff’s protests but he had already cut the line He shook his head again for good lare froot up and walked into his bedrooetting too old for those kind of parties,

Neal told hi the cool comfort of the dark room His next birthday would be his thirtieth and he was starting to realize that while his mind see unapologetically He pushed a pillow under his head, turned on his side and settled in for a little nap

“When I wake up,” Neal told himself severely, “I’ll call Cliff back and he’ll tellthat I have to attend That’s all he’ll tell me That’s it”