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“No,” she said “That may be who you were You’re different now Get rid of it Promise me”

He released his breath; she knew then he’d been holding it, waiting Leaning past the car seat, he reached out and closed the glove box “You’ll never see that gun again”

Chapter Thirteen

In the two years since Noah’s birth, the gossip about Vivi Ann and Dallas died down Not away, of course; it was siressions by other lovers had co to replace it The only people who see on to the old animosities were Winona and Dad, and Vivi Ann understood their concerns In tiotten completely

Tonight, beneath a twilight sky the color of a bruised plu kids chase after a greased piglet at the annual Water’s Edge Halloween party Noah was in her are pumpkin outfit Aurora stood on her left side; Winona was on her right A pirate and a witch, respectively

“Re, Winona?” Aurora said “All the rest of the kids were behind us by a mile”

“I’irl sure can hang on to a pig,’ ” Winona said

“Ooh,” Aurora said “Soht it was my turn”

“You always think it’s your turn,” Winona said, sipping her beer

“Have you spent any time with Rick and Jane lately? They’re the Children of the Corn And Richard is losing his hair so fast I need to bring a vacuum to the dinner table Top that, Miss Town’s Best Attorney”

Winona turned to her “You actually think it’s better to be fat, childless, and single?”

“Uh Duh Again, I point toand husband It’s not like I’uy”

Vivi Ann laughed “He is hot And you’re not fat, Win You’re big-boned”

“Lies and pretense,” Winona muttered “The new family motto”

Vivi Ann recognized the irritation in her sister’s voice and knew Winona was having one of her bad days, when nothing made her happy