His face was flushed with humiliation and ange

me," he s

tcher. Nor did she look at Coretta, who was squinting at her with a c

g corridor lined with expensive paintings. Thomas didn't take her to the guest room area.

rs. With each step they took, the

stopped at the end of the corridor in front of a heavy, scratched wooden door.

mirk twisting at the corner of his mouth. "

rned and walked away, his heavy foot

nt into

ed of old paper and mothballs. Against the far wall stood a narrow single bed wi

and sat down. The spring gro

and hall, the air was suffocating, filled with lies and surveillance. But her

etch out the schedule for tomorrow

els on the wooden floor outsid

shed open. It slammed agains

, carrying three huge, shiny shopping bags prin

and covered her nose and mouth. She waved her other hand in f

by Lace, "this dust. How could Grandma let yo

in Coretta's voice was completely betrayed by the triumphant joy

ief. She snapped her fingers a

pping bags onto the thin

irthday party tomorrow," Coretta said, her voice filled with a false sweetnes

n't look at the bags. Her eye

est bag. She grabbed a handfu

ent green sequins. The neckline plunged all the way to her navel, and the skirt was so

gainst herself. "You'll be the center of attenti

e designer label. She waited for Ginny to thank her profusely for the ug

und was the soft rustling of the fluoresc

y got up fr

slow, chilling smile. The smile didn't

ok a ste

ir in the small room suddenly

he slightly hunched posture of the country girl vanishe

instincts screamed, urging he

lking, her steps s

uneven wooden floor. She stumbled, her back slamming ag

an a foot away from Coretta. The

the fluorescent green dress tightly, us

rembled. She cleared her th