nce between the pills. The thought was both a

idn't think was possible. It was a dull, con

portrait, taken last year. Emit' s face was a thundercloud

hild

, the only reason I hadn

ummings, was supposed to brin

e, declared I was an unfit mother. She said a shameless

my babie

screaming, begging them not to take my children. I crawled after the

e had fought for me, just that once. He negotiated with his gr

my half-brother, Isiah Jenki

en weren't

ked, a knot of dread t

flew out and crack

er," she said, her voice cold

a hollow, broken sound. "Why do you love yo

the eye. "Is she your r

w of affection. "Doris, darling, don't be silly. You know how hard it was for me when I married in

a blessing she's dead, really. And now Gigi is here. She looks so much like Everleigh. She c

s next, Mother? Are you going to tell me t

ten your position. Look at the men in this family! Th

y handed her

rp. "Stop acting. I know you ha

ce. She glared at me, the

bed his arm. "Isiah, tell me the

touched him felt hot. He looked at me

ently shook

atching myself on