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"I told you I was just tired, Samuel Leave it be," I finally ordered

"Just trying to be a good husband," he quipped and looked to Belinda for some support, but unlike any other time Samuel smiled at her, she dropped her eyes quickly

Needless to say, he was eager to leave and get to his card gas As soon as he left, Belinda turned to me

"Did youdo anything yet, Olivia?"

"No, but I'm about to," I told her

"What should I do?"

"There's nothing for you to do You've done it all," I growled She started to whimper

"You're wasting your tears, Belinda Daddy's gone" She pulled up her head and glared at me

"You're going to really hateto make my life miserable," she predicted

"No, you've done that yourself," I said cal to rescue as much of your life as I can, as much of all our lives as I can That appears to be my role in this family"

"You enjoy it," she accused, her eyes sh "You always did You should have been a schoolteacher or a minister Or better yet, a prison matron"

"I am what I have to be," I said firmly "I don't have time to enjoy it, believe me I don't expect your thanks, but I do expect your respect, Belinda, and especially your appreciation"

She held her ser and then her face folded as she shrank into a tight ball, wrapping her ar down

"I'ht," I revealed and she looked up, her eyes wide

"Tonight? Where?"