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She didn't see , take walks on the beach or spend an evening in town Now that I stared down at her squir between her thighs, I realized why she had so ada her naked a number of times A quick search of her closet would result in the discovery of a pair of girdles in a box What I also understood noas her sudden and uncharacteristic interest in and desire for those baggy dresses she used to refer to as "Granny clothes" whenever I wore them

I knelt beside her and put my hand on the infant's tiny chest It felt cold already and it did not vibrate with any heartbeat, nor did it rise and fall with any breath

"I don't think it's alive," I said

She whiain

"Please, Olivia, get it away Ican't touch it," she said

I didn't move quickly I stared at the wrinkled little creature for a while, studying its facial features, its blue lips and its fingers so tiny even one of ers was the width of nearly all five of one of its hands

"It was a boy," I said,she wanted to know

Belinda closed her eyes and began to

hyperventilate I watched her suffering for a moment, still dumbfounded at hoell she had kept this secret What would our daddy think of his precious little princess noondered

"Do you have any idea, even an inkling of an idea, how terrible this is, Belinda? Didn't you consider this inevitable outco to do to our parents? Why didn't you co about this instead of deceiving everyone and hiding your condition?"

"I was afraid," she ht everyone would just hate me"

"Oh, and noe just love you?" I countered She closed her eyes and held her breath a ed "How nant?" I asked

"I don't know exactly, but at least six or seven," she said quickly

"That's why this child is so tiny It's a pre sex with some of your boyfriends, Belinda I just knew it I told you this would happen I warned you Now look, just look at what you've reaped with your wild, selfish behavior"

She sobbed an apology