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“When I aone, you will only have each other ”

Meredith walked over to the sa she wanted to think about today—her mother’s death “It will be hot in aaround

After a while, she heard her ain

Nina planned to wear her mother down If Meredith the , it was that ti of a pot, Nina knew that another piece of herwrapped up and put away If Meredith had her way, there would soon be nothing left

Dad had wanted soh, and now Nina wanted it, too She wanted to hear the peasant girl and the prince in its entirety; in truth, she couldn’t re more

At breakfast, she’d gone into the kitchen, stepping carefully around her ice-cold sister Ignoring Meredith, she made Mom a cup of sweetened tea and a piece of toast and carried them upstairs Inside her narled hands folded primly on the blanket over her stomach, her white hair a bird’s nest that hinted at a restless night With the door open, they could both hear Meredith packing up the kitchen

“You could help your sister ”

“I could If I thought you should move I don’t ” She handed her mother the tea and toast “You knohat I realized when I made your breakfast?”

Molass cup “I suppose you will tell me ”

“I don’t know if you like honey or jam or cinnamon ”

“All are fine ”

“The point is, I don’t know ”

“Ah That is the point,” Mo

“You’re not looking at ain ”

Mo, just took another sip of tea