Page 95 (1/2)

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

“Then we try again the next day and the next and the next”

Lina was quiet for a long time Then she said, “I don’t know if I can take that”

“You’re stronger than you think”

“No”

Madelaine gazed at her daughter, loving her so htened, but that the fear wasn’t reason enough to stay away If anyone knew that lesson, it was Madelaine She’d been afraid her whole life, and what had it gotten her? A lonely bed and a daughter who felt unloved

“If he hurts you, I’ll be there, Lina”

“I’m scared”

“I know I am, too”

Lina turned, stared at the huge poster of Johnny Depp that hung over her bed Finally she sighed and looked back at Madelaine “I have to try, don’t I?”

Madelaine felt a surge of pride for her daughter “We all do It’s all there is”

Angel dreaain

He stood there, looking around, feeling peaceful and contented Birds were circling overhead, cawing and chirping and swooping down to the sweet green grass He could hear his heartbeat, thudding away, pulsing and pounding in his chest

He knew Francis was co before he arrived

Angel turned in slow e of the trees Francis earing his severe black priest’s clothes, and for a split second Angel alnize hi above the flower-bright grass