It Takes A Thief

I tTakesaThi efbyKayHooper Ha ge n09( 1989) Pr ol ogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Thr e e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Fi ve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Si x. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Se ve n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Ei ght . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Ni ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Te n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Epi l ogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Pr ol ogue Hewa sar ot undl i t t l ema n,a nuna s ha me dpa unc hs t r a i ni ngt hes e a msofhi st a i l or e dve s t .Shi nywi ngt i ppe ds hoe swe r eonhi ss ma l lf e e t .Heha dagr e a tl e oni nehe a dwi t hac he r ub' sf a c e ,s ma l lbr i ght l yt wi nkl i ng e ye s ,a ndpo ut yl i ps .Hewa sve r ymuc hac a r i c a t ur eofas t r ut t i ngba nt a mr oos t e rpl e a s e dwi t hhi sown i mpor t a nc e ;f e woft hepe opl ehec a s ua l l ye nc ount e r e dwoul ds e emor et ha nava i nl i t t l ema n. The r ewe r et hos ewhokne wbe t t e r .As ma l lnumbe r ,c e r t a i nl y.The yha dl e a r ne dt he i rl e s s on,a ndk ne w t ha tt hema nwhoc a l l e dhi ms e l fHa ge nwa sa sha r ml e s sa saba t t l e s hi p,a si nnoc e nta sas ha r ki nbl oodywa t e r s , a sf ool i s ha ndi nc ons e que nt i a la sa na t omi cbomb.The ykne w,i nf a c t ,t ha thepos s e s s e daMa c hi a ve l l i a nmi nd off r i ght e ni ngr ut hl e s s ne s s ,a na bs ol ut evi s i onj us t i c e ,a nda ni na bi l i t yt ogi veupe ve nwhe nt hec a us es e e me d l os t . Andhewa sar ot t e nl os e r . Ont hi sc l e a rs umme ra f t e r noonhewa sha r s hl yr e pr i ma ndi ngoneofhi sne we s tme n." Youwe r eunf or gi va bl yc l ums y.Yous e tof fa na l a r mt ha tr ous e dt hee nt i r ebui l di ng.Youror de r swe r et ove r i f yt ha tJ os hLong ha dnotr e t ur n e dt ohi sa pa r t me nt–a ndt ha twa sa l l !Youwe r enott ol dt oa t t e mpte nt r yoft hea pa r t me nt . " Br a dySe t onha dbe e nama r i ne ;heha dgr ownupi noneoft her oughe s ts e c t i onsofChi c a go;a ndnoone ha de ve rc a l l e dhi m at i mi dma n.Butnow,s t a ndi ngs t i f f l ybe f or ehi sbos s ' sde s k,hef e l tde c i de dl ys ha ky.He ha dl ous e dupba dl y,a ndhekne wi t ;hi sf i r s t ,r e l a t i ve l ys i mpl e ,a s s i gnme nta sa nope r a t i vei nt hea ge nc yHa ge n r a nl ooke da st houghi twoul dbehi sl a s t . " Exc us e s ? "Ha ge ni nqui r e ds ha r pl y. Se t onkne wwha te xc us e swe r ewor t h." No,s i r . " " The ndr a wyourpa y. " Se t onl e f t . I nge ne r a l ,Ha ge nwa sr a r e l yha r dont hepe opl eunde rhi sc ont r ol .Ma ni pul a t i ve ,ye s ,butnotunf a i r . Howe ve r ,hewa si naba dmood,a ndha dbe e nf ors omet i menow.Hi spl a nswe r ei ndi s a r r a y,heha dj us tbe e n pa s s e dove rf ort hepos i t i onofdi r e c t oroft heFBI ,a ndhi ss ma l la ge nc yha ds uf f e r e danumbe rofl os s e si n ma npowe rove rt hepa s tt woye a r s .I nf a c t ,heha dl os thi st wobe s ta ge nt s ,a ndt hos epe opl eheha doc c a s i ona l l y bor r owe df r omot he ra ge nc i e sha ds udde nl ybe c omeuna va i l a bl et ohi m. And,wor s tofa l l ,Ha ge n' sgr e a t e s tpl a ns e e me dt obei nr ui nsa bouthi se a r s .Hi si de a–br i l l i a nt ,heha d t hought–ha dbe e nt of a keaki dna ppi ngofJ os hLong,a ne xc e e di ngl ywe a l t hya ndpowe r f ulma n,f ort hee xpr e s spur pos eofs e ndi ngLong' si mpr e s s i ves e c ur i t yf or c e ,hi sv e r yt a l e nt e dwi f e ,oneofHa ge n' sf or me ra ge nt s , a ndhi sf r i e ndsa f t e rt hema nHa ge nha di nt e nde dt oi mpl i c a t ei nt heki dna ppi ng–a ni nt e r na t i ona lt e r r or i s t knowns i mpl ya sAdr i a n. Adr i a n ,onc el e a de roft het e r r or i s tgr oupc a l l e dt heFi na lLe gi on,wa st hes i ngl ec r i mi na lHa ge nha dgone a f t e rbutnots uc c e e de di nc a pt ur i ng.Thef a i l u r ewa sar a wwoundt ohi sva ni t y. Hi spl a nwoul dha vewor ke d,Ha ge nkne w.Ra ve nLongha dbe e noneofHa ge n' sbe s ta ge nt s ,a ndt he pe opl es ur r ou ndi nghe ra ndhe rhus ba ndwe r eahi ghl yt a l e nt e dgr ouppe r f e c t l yc a pa bl eoft r a c ki ngdownAdr i a n a ndc a pt ur i nghi m.I twoul dha vewor ke d.Bu tHa ge nha dbe e nf or c e dt obee xt r e me l yc a r e f ul ,be c a us ea l lt hos e pe opl eha ds t r ongl yde ve l ope ds ur vi va lI ns t i nc t sAndheha dbe e nf or c e dt oe mpl oya ge nt swhowe r enott he be s t . J os hLong,bor na ndbr e di nawor l dwhe r ehi sgr e a twe a l t ha ndpowe rma dehi mac ons t a ntt a r ge t ,ha d ve r ygoodi ns t i nc t si nde e d.Some how,heha dr e a l i z e da not he ra t t e mptwa sa boutt obema de .Hea ndt heke y me nonhi st e a mha dva ni s he dwe e ksa go,l e a vi ngnot r a i l ,a ndl e a vi ngHa ge nha ms t r ung. Andt hi ngsha dgonef r om ba dt owor s e .Se t on,ane wa ge nt ,ha dbot c he dhi sj ob,a ndHa ge nha dt o a s s umet hei di otha dl e f tf i nge r pr i nt s .Ra ve nwoul dwa s t enot i mei nha vi ngt hos ec he c ke dout .Ands hec oul d. LongEnt e r pr i s e sha dt hebe s tnonof f i c i a li nf or ma t i onne t wor kHa ge nha de ve rs e e n.Shewoul dge tSe t on' s na mewi t hi nhour s .Ha ge n' sonl yc omf or twa st ha tSe t on' sna meha dnotbe e nl i nke di na nywa ywi t hhi sown.

Sma l lc omf or t . Hewa sl e f twa i t i ngf ors ome t hi ngt oha ppe n,a ndHa ge nha t e dwa i t i ng.Hewa sa l s oune a s i l ya wa r et ha t , f ort hef i r s tt i mei nhi sc he c ke r e dc a r e e r ,hemi ghtwe l lha veunde r e s t i ma t e dhi spr e y.Heha dnothe s i t a t e dt o ma keus eoft het a l e nt sofJ os hLonga ndme mbe r sofhi sgr oupi nt hepa s t .Ofc our s enotas i ngl eme mbe rof t ha ti nne rc i r c l eha de ve rbe e nhi st a r ge t .And,t houghheha dof t e nmi s l e doneort heot he roft he m,t he yha d c l e a r l yunde r s t oodhi smot i ve s . Thi st i me ,hedoubt e dt he ywoul d. Ha ge nha da l wa ysbe e nt hedog;ne ve rt hef ox.Heha dne ve re ve nc ons i de r e dt hef e e l i ngsoft ha thunt e d c r e a t ur e . Now,hedi d.

One J e nni f e rCha nt r ywa nde r e dc a s ua l l ydownt heha l l wa y,s mi l i nga tt heoc c a s i ona lpe r s ons hee nc ount e r e d wi t houts e e i n ga nyt hi ngbutaj umbl eoff a c i a lf e a t ur e s .Sheha ds pot t e da tl e a s tha l fadoz e npl a i nc l ot he s s e c ur i t yme n,a ndhe rhe a r twa spoundi ngf r a nt i c a l l ybe ne a t hhe rc a l mf a c a de .Howone a r t hwa ss hegoi ngt o ge the r s e l foutoft hi sme s s ?Thebr a c e l e twa sc ut t i ngi nt ohe rpa l ma she rf i nge r she l di tt i ght l y.Shes houl dha ve gonet ot hec l oa kr oomi ns t a nt l ya ndputi ti nt ohe rs ma l lc l ut c hpur s e ,butt ha twoul dbet hef i r s tpl a c eonewoul d s e a r c h. Shes a woneoft hes e c ur i t yme na tt hee ndoft heha l l ,a ndf e l thunt e d.I twa sas t r a nge ,uns e t t l i ngf e e l i ng. The r ewa sas e tofdoubl edoor st ohe rl e f t ,a nds heope ne doneoft he ma nds l i ppe di nt ot her oom,hopi ng de s pe r a t e l yt ha tt hea c t i ondi dn' tr e f l e c the rwi l dde s i r et or un. Ther oom wa sas t udy,wi t hf l oor t oc e l l i ngbooks he l ve sa ndabi gma hoga nyde s k,af e wc ha i r s ,a nd r e a di ngl a mps .ToJ e nni f e r ,t her oomwa sa c hi ngl yf a mi l i a r .I tma dehe rt hr oa thur t ,a nds hebl i nke dba c ks udde n t e a r s . Al a mpbur ne ds of t l ya tt hede s k,J e nni f e rnot e dbe f or er e a l i z i ngt ha tt her oom wa sa l s ooc c upi e dbya t ot a ls t r a nge r .Qui c kl y,s hemur mur e dava guea pol ogya ndt ur ne dt owa r dt hedoor ,butt he nwe nts t i l l . Thedoorha ndl ewa st ur ni ngs l owl y,s t e a l t hi l y,a ndhe rhe a r tl odge di nhe rt hr oa t .Some oneha ds e e nhe r . AndGa r r e t tKe l l ywoul dj us tl ov et oc a l lt hepol i c e ,a ndt he y' dputha ndc uf f sonhe r ,a nd– Shehe a r dnof oot s t e ps ,butt hebi gma nwhoha dbe e ns t a ndi ngbe hi ndt hede s kc r os s e dt her oomqui c kl y a nd,r e a c hi nghe r ,unhe s i t a t i ngl ypul l e dhe ri n t ohi sa r ms . " Sor r ya boutt hi s , "hewhi s pe r e dc he e r f ul l y,j us tbe f or ehi sl i psc a pt ur e dhe r s . Tooa s t oni s he dt os t r uggl ei nt hef i r s ti ns t a nt ,J e nni f e rwa sonl ydi ml ya wa r eoft hedoorope ni ng,a nd t he ns of t l yc l os i nga ga i n.Shef e l tt hef i nema t e r i a lofhi sc r e a mc ol or e dt uxe dobe ne a t hhe rf i nge r s ,f e l tpowe r f ula r msa ndaha r dc he s t ,a ndl ongl e gspr e s s e dt ohe rown.Ands hef e l ta ni ns t a nt ,he l pl e s sr e s pons eunc ur li n t hepi tofhe rbe l l y,s pr e a di ngt hr oughouthe rbodyi nhe a t e dr i pp l e s . " Ont heot he rha nd, "hemur mur e dwhe nhea tl a s tr a i s e dhi she a d," I ' mnots or r ya ta l l .He l l o. " J e nni f e rs t a r e dupa thi mda z e dl ya nd,e ve ni nbe wi l de r me nt ,f e l the rhe a r tc a t c h.Goodhe a ve ns ,t hema n wa sbe aut i f ul .Vi ol e te ye sl i tf r om wi t hi n,as t r ong,ha nds omef a c e ,as mi l et oma keawoma nf or ge the rve r y na me . Shec l e a r e dhe rt hr oa ti nas ma l l ,be mus e ds ound." He l l o. " Hi se ye sl a ughe ddowna the r . J e nni f e rma deade t e r mi ne de f f or t ." Le tgoofme , "s heor de r e di navoi c ebe t t e rs ui t e dt oc a l l i ngki t t e ns . " DoIha vet o? "hea s ke ds ol e mnl y. Shet h oughta bouti t ,t he nha s t i l ygotagr i ponhe r s e l f ." Ye s ,ofc our s e .Le tgoofme ! " " Yourwi s hi smyc omma nd,ma ' a m, "hes a i d.s t e ppi ngba c ka ndr a i s i nghe rha ndt ohi sl i pswi t ha gr a c e f ulha l fbow. J e nni f e rha dn' tt houghtt he r ewa sama nl e f ta l i vewhoc oul ds a yt hi ngsl i ket ha ta ndki s sawoma n' sha nd, butt hi sma nd i di ta wf ul l ywe l l . Andt he nhes moot hl yr e move dt hebr a c e l e tf r omhe rne r ve l e s sf i nge r s . " Gi vet ha tba c k, "s hega s pe d,a nge ra ndpa ni cwa r r i ngi ns i dehe r . Hewa shol di ngt hebr a c e l e tupt ot a kea dva nt a geoft hef a i ntl i ght ,l ooki nga ti tt hr oughs udde nl yna r r owe de ye s ." Wha tha vewehe r e ? "hemur mu r e d. " I t ' smi ne ! " " Hus h, "hewa r ne da bs e nt l y." Youwa ntt oha vet hes e c ur i t ype opl ebur s t i ngi nhe r e ? " I twa st hel a s tt hi ngi nt hewor l dJ e nni f e rwa nt e d,a nds hequi c kl yl owe r e dhe rvoi c et oawhi s pe r ." Gi ve met hebr a c e l e t , "s hei ns i s t e d. Hel oo ke ddowna the r ,hi sl i psc ur vi ngi nt ha ti nc r e di bl es mi l e ." I ti s n' tc ons i de r e dve r ypol i t et or ob yourhos t , "het ol dhe rge nt l y. J e nni f e rbi the rl i p." Idi dn' t–Ime a n,i t ' s...Oh,youwoul dn' tunde r s t a nd! " " You' r eundoubt e dl ywr onga boutt ha t , "hemur mur e d." Buts i nc eI ' monat i ghts c he dul e ,Idon' tha vet he t i met oi ns i s t .Howwe r eyoupl a nni ngt oge tt hebr a c e l e toutoft hehous e ? " Shebl i nke dupa thi m." Umm.Mypur s e . " Hewa ss ha ki nghi she a d." Fi r s tpl a c et he y' l ll ook. " " We l l ,It houghtt ha t ,but–"J e nni f e rbl i nke da ga i n. " Pl e a s egi vemet hebr a c e l e t ! " Hee ye dhe rr ubygownt hought f ul l y." Ar eyouwe a r i ngga r t e r s ,bya nyc ha nc e ? " " AmIwha t ? "s hema na ge df a i nt l y. " Ga r t e r s .Thos es e xyl i t t l ede vi c e sf r ombygoneda ysus e dt ohol dups t oc ki ngs ?The yc a mebe f or es ome

t ot a lmor oni nve nt e dpa nt yhos e . " Fa s c i na t e d,s hes t a r e da thi m." Ye s ,a sama t t e roff a c t ,Ia m.Why? " " Il oveSout he r nwome n. "Abr upt l y,h ewe ntdownononekne ea nds we pthe rc l i ngi ngs ki r tupa bovehe r kne e s ." Gr e a tl e gs , "het ol dhe r . Shes t a r e ddowna thi sda r khe a da ndf e l tc a r r i e da l ongbya ni r r e s i s t i bl ef or c ebe yondhe rpowe rt os t op. " Tha nkyou, "s hemur mur e d. " Hol dt hes ki r tup, "hei ns t r uc t e dbr i s kl y. Me e kl y,J e nni f e rhe l dt hes ki r tup.Shec oul df e e lhi swa r mf i nge r sonhe rt hi gh,t he nt hec ool e rme t a lof t hebr a c e l e t .Hewa sf a s t e ni ngt hebr a c e l e tt ohe rga r t e r ,s her e a l i z e di na s t oni s hme nt . Her os ee a s i l yt ohi sf e e ta nds t e ppe dba c k,f r owni ngs l i ght l ya shega z e da thi sha ndi wor k." Dr opt he s ki r t ,a ndl e t ' ss e ehowt ha tl ooks , "hei ns t r uc t e d.J e nni f e robe ye d. Henodde di ns a t i s f a c t i on." Fi ne .Noones houl dnot i c ei tunde rt hes ki r t .Unl e s sourhos tde c i de st o s e a r c hhi sgue s t s ,yous houl dge ti touta l lr i ght . " Wonde r i ngi fs heha dt umbl e dt hr oughAl i c e ' smi r r orbya c c i de nt ,J e nni f e rs t a r e da thi m." Youa r e n' t goi ngt ot r yt os t opme ?Ort e l ls e c ur i t ya boutt hi s ? " Hec r os s e dhi sa r msove rhi sbr oa dc he s t ,vi ol e te ye sl a ughi nga ga i n." We l l ,t ha tmi ghtbeat r i f l e a wkwa r dyous e e . " Af t e raba f f l e dmome nt ,s hel ooke dpa s thi m,r e me mbe r i ngwhe r ea ndhowhe ' dbe e ns t a ndi ngwhe ns he ' d f i r s ts e e nhi m." Youwe r ea tt hes a f e , "s hes a i ds l owl y" Tr yi ngt oope ni t . " " Nota ta l l .I ' dj us tc l os e di t .Ands i nc eIdon' twa nta nyonec he c ki ngf ormi s s i ngva l ua bl e s...We l l ,you unde r s t a nd. " " You' r eat hi e f , "s hes a i dwonde r i ngl y. Li f t i ngonef l yi ngbr ow,hes a i di napa i ne dt one" Now,t ha t ' st hepotc a l l i ngt heke t t l ebl a c k. " " I ' mnotat hi e f ! "J e nni f e rs hookhe rhe a d." Oh,ne ve rmi nd.I ' ml e a vi ng. " I fs heha de xpe c t e dt hi sve r ype c ul i a rma nt ot r ya nds t ophe r ,s hewa sdi s a ppoi nt e d.Butwhe nhes p oke j us ta ss hewa sa boutt oope nt hedoor ,hi swor dsc a ughthe rof fgua r d. " Mi ndt e l l i ngmeyourna me ? " " Ye s ,Idomi nd, "s hes na ppe ds of t l y. " Tha t ' sa l lr i ght , "het ol dhe r ,unpe r t ur be d." I ' l lf i ndoutwha ti ti s . " Shel o oke dba c ka thi m,f r owni ng." Why?Tor e por tmel a t e r ? " " No.ButI ' vegott ohe a rt hes t or yoft hebr a c e l e t .Be f or es hec oul dr e s pond,hea dde dmus i ngl y," Be s i de s ,Ide f i ni t e l yf e l li nl ovewi t hyourl e gs . " J e nni f e re s c a pe dwhi l es hec oul d,unne r ve dt ohe a rt hes oundofs of t ,de e pl a ught e rbe hi ndhe r .Wi t hno s e c ur i t ygua r dsi ns i ght ,s het ookaf a mi l i a rr out et hr ought hehous e ,ma ki nghe rwa yc a r e f ul l ya nds i l e nt l ya l ong de s e r t e ds e r v i c ec or r i dor sa nds ma l l ,unus e dr ooms ,unt i ls hel e f tt hehous et hewa ys he ' dc ome .Ther oomwa sa s ma l lpa r l or ,t hef ur ni t ur edr a pe di ndus ts he e t s ,a ndJ e nni f e rwe ntoutt hr oughawi ndowwi t habr oke nl oc k. Shewa si nt hes i dega r de n,a na r e at ha tha donc ebe e nbe a ut i f ulbutwa snowove r gr own,a nds het hou ght wi t hapa ngwha tadi f f e r e nc eaf e wye a r sc oul dma ke .Shes l i ppe da l ongt hea l mos tI nvi s i bl epa t h,hol di nghe r s ki r tup,a l lhe rs e ns e ss t r a i ni ngf ora nys ound.Ca r e f ul l y,s hewor ke dhe rwa ya r oundt hehous ea ndba c kt ot he f r ont ,s ki r t i ngt hepa r ke dc a r sa ndke e pi nghe rdi s t a nc ef r omt hef r onte nt r a nc e . Shepa us e da tt het opoft hedr i ve wa y ,l ooki ngdownt hel ongl a net ha twa sf l a nke dbyt a l loa kt r e e sda ngl i ngSpa ni s hmos s .The ns hel ooke dba c ka tt hehous e ,bi t i nghe rl i p.Whowast ha tma n?Wa shegoi ngt obe t r oubl e ?Hewa st he r ef ors omene f a r i ouspur pos eofhi sown,c e r t a i nl y,a ndal a r gepa r tofhe rc he e r e dhi moni f i tme a nta nyl os st oGa r r e t tKe l l y.Att hes a met i me ,s heha r dl ywa nt e dt hehous el oot e dofi t st r e a s ur e s . Ands hec oul dn' the l pwonde r i ngi ft ha ts t r a ngema nr e a l l yme a ntt of i ndhe r–e i t he rbe c a us ehewa nt e d t obet ol dt hes t or yoft hebr a c e l e t ,orbe c a u s ehe ' df a l l e ni nl ovewi t hhe rl e gs .I ne i t he rc a s e ,t hepot e nt i a lf or t r oubl ewa sg r e a t . St i l lhol di nghe rs ki r tup,J e nni f e rhur r i e da l ongt heve r yda r kl a ne ,a nds of t l ymut t e r e d," Mot he r ,you' ve r e a l l ydonei tt hi st i me ! " *** Somet e nmi nut e sl a t e r ,Da nePr e s c ot tr e j oi ne dhi sc ompa ni onf ort hee ve ni ngi nt hec r owde dba l l r o om downs t a i r s .Hene a t l yt ookhe ra wa yf r omt wos l i ght l yi ne br i a t e da nda dor i ngge nt l e me n,ne i t he rofwhomf e l t a bl et of i ghtf orhe r . " You' r ebe t t e rt ha naDobe r ma n, "Ra ve nLongt ol dhi ma dmi r i ngl y,a c c e pt i nghi sa r ma ndbe gi nni ngt o s t r ol lwi t hhi mt owa r doneoft hema nyha l l wa yst hepa r t yha ds pi l l e di nt o." Onel ooka tyoua ndt r oubl e s o me me ns udde nl yf e e lada unt i ngl a c kofmus c l e s . " Hel ooke ddowna the ri na mus e me nt ." Doe st ha ti nc l udeyourhus ba nd? " " Myhus ba ndi s n' tt r oubl e s ome . "s her e mi nde dhi m" AndI ' vene ve rnot i c e dal a c kofmus c l e s . " " Ne i t he rha veI , "Da nes a i dwi t hs omef e e l i ng. Twop a i r sofvi ol e te ye sme t ,a ndRa ve nl a ughe d" Di dhema ket ha ts t r onga ni mpr e s s i on? " " I ' l ls a y.You' de xpe c tabus i ne s st yc o ont obeol da ndc r us t y,ora tt heve r yl e a s tyounga ndf l a bby.J os h l ooksl i kehewor ksf oral i vi ng, a ndt he nwor ksoutf orf un.AndI ' dha t et oge thi mma d. " " Some bodye l s edi dt ha t , "Ra ve npoi nt e dOut ." Andt he ygotmema dt oo.Idon' tl i kei twhe ns ome f a c e l e s se ne myt r i e st oge ta tmyhus ba nd.Andt ha t ,i nc a s eyou' vef or got t e n,i swhyyoua ndIa r ea t t e ndi ngt hi s pa r t y. "He rmus i c a lvoi c ene ve rc ha nge de xpr e s s i ona ss hea s ke dl i ght l y," Fi nda nyt hi ng? " Da newa sl e a di nghe rdownal ong,we l l l i ght e dha l l wa yt ha ts e r ve da sapor t r a i tga l l e r y.Hes t oppe da t he rque s t i on,l ooki nga tt hepa i nt i ngne a r e s tt he mf oramome nt ,t he ngl a nc i nga r oundt oma kec e r t a i nt he ywe r e a l one .

" Iwa si nt e r r upt e d, "het ol dhe r ," butIdi df i nds ome t hi ngi nt e r e s t i ng.Andnotwha tIe xpe c t e dt of i nd.I ' l l t e l lyoua boutt ha tl a t e r . " Ra ve nf r owne dal i t t l e ,buta c c e pt e dhi se ni gma t i cwor ds ." Whoi nt e r r upt e dyou? " Le a ni n gas houl de ra ga i ns tt hewa l lbe s i det hepa i nt i ng,Da nec r os s e dhi sa r msove rhi sc he s t ." Al a dy wi t has t ol e nbr a c e l e ti noneha nd. " " Some bodye l s epl a nne dt obur gl et hepl a c et oni ght ? " " No.Idon' tt hi nkt ha twa si t .Idi dn' tha vemuc ht i met ot a l kt ohe r ,buts hedi dn' ts t r i kemea sat hi e f . " Ra ve nbe ga nt ol ooka mus e d." Yout wohi ti tof f ,huh? " " Shel ooke ds c a r e d.SoIhe l pe dhe rhi det hebr a c e l e t . " " Shoul dIa s kwhe r e ? " " Iwr a ppe di ta r oundoneot he rga r t e r s . " Af t e rabl i nk.Ra ve ns a i d," Oh.Youc e r t a i nl yha da nI nt e r e s t i ngi nt e r l udei nt hes t udy. " " Be a rwi t hme . "Da nes mi l e d." It hi nkwe ' ves t umbl e di nt oamys t e r yhe r e .Thi ngi s ,Idon' tknowi fi t ' l l he l pusf i ndwha twe ' r ea f t e r . " " I ' ml i s t e ni ng. " Da nebr oode df oramome nt ,t he nbe g a ns pe a ki ngs of t l ybutr a pi dl y." Fi r s tofa l l ,It hi nkt heyoungl a dy c r a s he dt hi spa r t y;Ic a n' tbes ur e ,butmyi ns t i nc ts a ysye s .Inot i c e dhe re a r l i e r ,a nds hewa sj umpya she l l . Se c ond,t hegowns hewa swe a r i ng,t houghi twa sbe a ut i f ula nds ui t e dhe rwe l l ,wa sa boutt e nye a r soutofda t e , a ndha dbe e nr e c e nt l ya l t e r e d.Thega r t e r ss hewa swe a r i ngwe r ema deofve r yol dl a c e ,note l a s t i c . " Ra ve nnodde ds l owl y." Sos he ' spos s i bl yf r omaf a mi l yt ha twa sonc eve r ywe l lof f ,buti s n' tnow. " " Tha twa smyr e a di ng.Ands hemove dt hewa yKyl edoe s . "hes a i d,r e f e r r i ngt ooneofRa ve n' sc l os e f r i e nds . Be gi nni ngt ol ooke ve nmor ei nt e r e s t e d,Ra ve ns a i d," Tha te xpe ns i vepr i va t es c hooll ook.Eve r yi nc ht he l a dy. " " Ri ght .Now,a l lt hi si ni t s e l fdoe s n' tme a nmuc h–a tl e a s tpr oba bl ynott ous .Butt he r ewe r eac oupl eof ot he rt hi ngs .Shekne wt he r ewa sas a f ebe hi ndt hede s k,e ve nt houghI ' dputt hepa i nt i ngba c ki npl a c ebe f or e s hec a mei n.Ii mpl i e dIwa si nt her oom wi t hdi s hone s ti nt e nt i ons ;s hei mme di a t e l yl ooke da tt hes a f ea nd s ugge s t e dI ' dbe e nt r yi ngt oope ni t .AndIr e c ogni z e dhe r . " " Whoi ss he ? " " Idon' tknowhe rna meye t ,buts he ' st hel i vi ngi ma geoft hewoma ni nt hi spor t r a i t . "Da nenodde dt owa r d t hepa i nt i ngt he ywe r es t a ndi ngi nf r ontof . Ra ve nt ur ne dhe rhe a dt os t udyt hepa i nt i ng,he re ye swi de ni ngabi t .I twa st hepor t r a i tofayoung woma ndonej us ta f t e rt het ur noft hec e nt ur y.Thewoma n' sgownwa sas of tr os ec ol orwi t hamode s tne c kl i ne a ndt i ght l yc i nc he dwa i s t .Shehe l das i ngl ep i nkr os ei ns l e nde rwhi t eha nds ,a ndwor enoj e we l r y.He rha i rwa s gol de n,he re ye sac l e a rbl ue ,a n dt he r ewa sal ookofmi s c hi e fb e hi ndhe rha l fs mi l e . " She ' sl ove l y. "Ra ve nl ooke da tt hebr a s sna me pl a t ea t t a c he dt ot heor na t ef r a me ,a ndr e a da l oud," J e nni f e rLoui s eCha nt r y. " " Ic he c ke dt heot he rpa i nt i ngsaf e wmi nut e sa go, "Da net ol dhe r ." Thema j or i t yoft he s ef ami l ypor t r a i t s a r eCha nt r ys . Ga r r e t tKe l l y,unl e s st hr oughaf e ma l el i ne ,doe s n' tha vea na nc e s t ort oboa s tofont he s ewa l l s . " " Sowhydoe sheownt hehous e ? " " Tha t ' swha tIwa swonde r i ng.Gr a nt e d,al otoft he s eol dSout he r npl a c e sha vec ha nge dha ndsanumbe r oft i me s ,buti tdoe s n' tf e e lr i ghtt ome . " Ra ve nwa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he na s ke d," Wha t ' syourf e e l i nga boutt hegi r li nt hes t udy? " " It hi n ks hewa st a ki ngba c ks ome t hi ngot he r s . " " Ke l l y' sac ompul s i vega mbl e r , "Ra ve nr e mi nde dhi m." Ma ybes hel os ti tt ohi m. " " Hewon' tpl a yc a r dswi t hwome n, "Da nes a i df l a t l y. Af t e ramome nt ,Ra ve ns hookhe rhe a d." Asyous a i d,Idon' ts e et ha tt hi she l psus .Att hes a met i me ,a l l weha vet ogooni st ha tKe l l y' she a dofs e c ur i t yt e s t e dourde f e ns e sa tl e a s tonc e .Wekne ws ome bodywa s t r yi ngt oge ta tJ os h,a nddur i ngt ha ta t t e mptac oupl eofwe e ksa go,hel e f tani c e ,c l e a rt humbpr i ntont he a pa r t me nt ' se l e c t r oni cl oc k.Cl ums y,t os a yt hel e a s t . " " Is uppos et he r e ' snoque s t i ona boutt hepr i nt ' sbe i ngBr a dySe t on' s ? " " None .Za c ht r i pl e c he c ke d.Noc r i mi na lr e c or d,butSe t onwa si nt hemi l i t a r y,a ndhi spr i nt sa r eonf i l e . Hi sl a s tknown,a ndpr e s e nt ,e mpl oye ri sGa r r e t tKe l l y. " " Howa boutal i t t l ei c i ngont hec a ke ? "Da nes a i ddr yl y. " Wha t ? " " I nKe l l y' ss a f e ,If ound,a ndr e move d ,oneha l fofas e tofpl a t e sus e dt oc ount e r f e i tone hundr e ddol l a r bi l l s .Andi twa s n' tma debya na ma t e ur . " Ra ve n ' se ye swi de ne d,t he nna r r owe d." Cur i ous e ra ndc ur i ous e r , "s hemur mur e d. " I ' l ls a y.As i def r omhi sga mbl i ng,Ke l l ydoe s n' tha veas me a ra nywhe r eonhi sna me .Note ve na nunpa i d pa r ki ngt i c ke t .Sowha t ' shedoi ngwi t hac ount e r f e i tpl a t e ?Andwhe r e ' st heot he rone ? " " Andhow,i fa ta l l ,doe si tt i eupwi t ha na t t e mptt oge ta tJ os h? " " Be a t st hehe l loutofme , "Da nec onf e s s e d." ButIha vet oa dmi tI ' mi nt r i gue d. " Abi tr e s t l e s s l y,s hes a i d," Da mn,Iwi s hIdi dn' tha vet of l yba c kt oNe wYor kf i r s tt hi ngt omor r ow. " " Thewhol epoi ntofyourbe i nghe r et oni ght , "her e mi nde dhe r ," wa st of i ndouti ft hi sl e a dwa swor t h pur s ui ng.I ' ds a yi t ' sade f i ni t eye s .I ' mi nnow;Ke l l y' sa l r e a dyi nvi t e dmet ooneofhi sps e udos e c r e tc a r dga me s t omor r owni g ht .Wea gr e e df r omt hebe gi nni ngi t ' dbebe s tt ol e tmewor kt hi sj oke r . " " Iknow.ButIr e a l l yha t el e a vi ngyoua l onedownhe r ewi t hnoba c kup.I fKe l l y' sc ount e r f e i t i ngona ny s c a l ea ta l l ,t h e nhe ' sI nt os omepr e t t ybi gs t a ke s .I tc oul dt ur noutt obear e a lme s s ,Da ne . "

Hehe s i t a t e d,t he ns mi l e d." We l l ,Iwon' te xa c t l ybea l one .Re me mbe rt ha tf r i e ndofmi newhohe l pe dus outdowni nFl or i daaf e wwe e ksa go? " " Theonewene ve rs a w? "s hea s ke d. " Tha t ' st hema n. " " He ' she r e ? " " Cl os e .Andhe. . .um,knowsabi ta boutc ount e r f e i tpl a t e sa ndt hel i ke . " " Youknow,Ia l wa yss us pe c t e dyouwor emor et ha noneha t ,pa l . " " Who,me ? " Shedi dn' tpus hi t ." J us tt e l lmet hi sf r i e ndofyour si sagoodba c kup,t ha t ' sa l l . " " Roc ks ol i d. " Ra ve ns i ghe d,t he ns hr ugge d." Idon' tl i kei t ,butt he r e ' snot hi ngIc a ndoa tt hemome nt .We ' veha dt wo ne a r l e a kss i nc eJ os ha ndt heguysva ni s he df r om t hepubl i ce ye .I fa nyonef i ndsoutt hehe a dofLongEnt e r pr i s e sha sdi s a ppe a r e d,t he nanumbe rofs t oc ksa r egoi ngt ogoi nt ot a l l s pi ns .Iha vet oge tba c ka ndhol ddown t hef or t . " " Youc oul dbeadr a wba c khe r ea nywa y, "Da ner e mi nde dhe r ." I fKe l l yi sbe hi ndt hea t t e mptt oge tt o J os h,a ndi fhef i ndsoutwhoyoua r e ,ourha n d' st i ppe df ors ur e . " Shenodde dr e l uc t a nt l y." Iknow,Ikno w.Andyou' r et hebe s tma nf ort hi sJ ob. " " Tha nkyou. "Da newa sobvi ous l ymove d. " Unl e s s , "s hea dde dge nt l y," youge td i s t r a c t e dbys t r a ybl onde swi t hs t ol e nbr a c e l e t s . " " I ' mapr of e s s i ona l , "hepr ot e s t e di nawounde dt one . Ra ve n ' svi ol e te ye sgl e a me d." Ye s ,Iknow. "The n,a ss hebe ga nt ur ni nga wa y,s hea dde dwi t h a mus e me nt ," I t ' sj us tt ha tI ' vea l wa yswonde r e dwha t ,e xa c t l y,yourpr of e s s i oni s . " Da newhi s t l e d" Wa l t z i ngMa t i l da "unde rhi sbr e a t ha nddi dn' tr e s pond.Nott ha tRa ve ne xpe c t e da r e s pons eofadi f f e r e nts or t .I fs he ' dl e a r ne da nyt hi ngi nhe rye a r sa saf e de r a la ge nt .I twa snott oa s kt ooma ny que s t i ons . I twa sof t e ns a f e rnott oknow. *** " J e nni f e r ! "Thea c c e ntwa ss t i l lt hi c ka f t e rne a r l yt hi r t yye a r sont hi ss i deoft heAt l a nt i c ,butt e nde dt o pa s sa l mos tunnot i c e di nLoui s i a na ,whe r ebot hFr e nc ha ndSpa ni s hI nf l ue nc eha dbe e nf e l ts ohe a vi l y.But a nyonewhos pe ntmor et ha nt e nmi nut e swi t hFr a nc e s c aMa r i aMode s t aLor e nz oCha nt r yr e a l i z e ds hewa s I t a l i a nt ohe rbone s . Shewa sat a l lwoma n,s t i l lbe a ut i f uli nhe rf i f t i e s ,wi t hc oa lbl a c kha i ra ndf l a s hi ngbl a c ke ye s ,ahus ky voi c et ha tc o ul ds wi t c hf r omma donnat os hr e wi na nI ns t a nt ,a ndavol upt uousf i gur et ha tne ve rf a i l e dt ot ur n he a ds .Ands hee mbodi e de ve r yvol a t i l et r a i ta t t r i but e dt ohe rhot bl oode da nc e s t or s . J e nni f e rha dof t e nwonde r e di fhe rmot he rdi dt ha tde l i be r a t e l y,buts i nc ehe rownc oolbl onds ur f a c e c on c e a l e danumbe rofvol a t i l et r a i t ss hec oul donl yha vei nhe r i t e df r om Fr a nc e s c a ,s heha de ve nt ua l l yr e c ogni z e dt het r ut h.Theme r c ur i a lt e mpe r a me ntwa spe r f e c t l yr e a l ;i twa sj us tt ha tFr a nc e s c ae nj oye dadr a ma t i c na t ur et oboot . " J e nni f e r ,t hebr a c e l e t ? " Movi ngi nt ot het i nyl i vi ngr oom oft he i rs ma l lhous ea boutt womi l e sf r om t hepl a nt a t i on,J e nni f e r c ol l a ps e di nt oas ome wha ts ha bbyc ha i ra ndha ul e dhe rs ki r tup.Unf a s t e ni ngt hebr a c e l e tf r om he rga r t e r ,s he s a i ds t e r nl y," Mot he r ,you' vegott os t opdoi ngt hi ngsl i ket hi s ! " I gnor i ngt hec omma nd,Fr a nc e s c awa t c he dc ur i ous l y." Whydi dyouputi tt he r e ? " " Be c a us ei twa st heonl ywa yIc oul dt hi nkoft oge ti ts a f e l youtoft hehous e . "I twa si mpos s i bl et ot e l l he rmot he rt het r ut h,J e nni f e rr e f l e c t e d. He rmot he rl a ughe di nf e c t i ous l y." Sos ma r t ,myba by!Oh,mybr a c e l e t ,mybr a c e l e t ! " J e nni f e rha nde di tove r ,s i ghi ng.Us e l e s st ot r yt ope r s ua dehe rmot he rt ha twha ts heha ddonewa swr ong –e s pe c i a l l ys i nc ei twa spe r f e c t l yunde r s t a nda bl e .Ta ki ngone ' sownbe l ongi ngsba c k,Fr a nc e s c awoul dde c l a r e , wa snots t e a l i ng.AndJ e nni f e rkne whe rowna r gume nt swoul dl a c kf or c ef ort heve r yr e a s ont ha ts hewa sha l f I t a l i a nhe r s e l f ,a nds heunde r s t oo d. Fr a nc e s c ac l a s pe dt hedi a mondbr a c e l e ta r oundhe rs l i mwr i s ta ndhe l di touta dmi r i ngl y.The n,i non eof he rl i ght ni ngc ha nge sofmood,he rs pa r kl i nge ye sf i l l e dwi t ht e a r s ." Yourf a t he rga vet hi st omea sabe t r ot ha l pr e s e nt ,myba by.Heputi tonmewi t hhi sownha nds .Tha tho r r i bl ema nha snor i ghtt oI t ,nor i ghta ta l l !He mus tbepuni s he d,J e nni f e r ! " " Iknow.Mot he r . "Shebr oode da boutt ha t ,f or ge t t i ng,f ort hemome nt ,t hee ve nt soft oni ght ." I fwec oul d j us tpr ovehec he a t e di nt ha tc a r dga me .Iknowhedi d,Ik nowi t .Butnoneoft heot he r ss a whi mc he a t .And Da ddys i gne dove rt hepl a nt a t i on.Wha te l s ec oul dhedo? " " A due l , "Fr a nc e s c ade c l a r e d." MyRuf uss houl dha vec ha l l e nge dhi mt oadue l . "The n,obvi o us l y de c i di ngs hewa sbe i ngove r l yc r i t i c a lofhe ra dor e dl a t ehus ba nd,s hea dde dma gna ni mous l y," Buthewa si l l , mypoorda r l i ng. " Heha dbe e ndyi ng,i nf a c t ,t houghne i t he rJ e nni f e rnorhe rmot he rha dknownt ha tf ourye a r sa go.Lo s i ng hi sf a mi l y' spl a nt a t i on,Be l l eRe t our ,ha dbe e nmor et ha nhi sove r s t r a i ne dhe a r tc oul dbe a r .Heha ddi e dt wo mont hsl a t e r . AndGa r r e t tKe l l yha dt a ke npos s e s s i onoft hehous ei mme di a t e l ya f t e rt hef une r a l . Thes ma l lhous eJ e nni f e ra ndhe rmot he rnowoc c upi e dwa s ,i nas e ns e ,apa r tofBe l l eRe t our .Li kemos t hugeol de s t a t e s ,t hepl a nt a t i onha ds uf f e r e dr unsofba dl uc ki nt hepa s t ,r e qui r i ngt ha tpa r c e l sofl a ndbes ol dof f f r omt i met ot i me .Thi ss ma l lhous eha dbe e nbui l tt we nt yye a r sbe f or eonat e na c r epa r c e lt ha tha dbe e ns ol dt o ac ous i n.Whe nt hec ous i nha ddi e da ndwi l l e dt hehous ea ndl a ndba c kt oRuf usCha nt r y,J e nni f e r ' sf a t he rha d

de e de dt hepl a c et ohe r . Sheha dus e di tdur i nghe rt e e nye a r sa sas t udi o,whe r es heha dwor ke donhe rdr e a mofbe c omi ngagr e a t a r t i s t .I nt heye a r sbe t we e nhi ghs c hoola ndc ol l e ge ,J e nni f e rha df a c e dr e a l i t y.Shewa sagooda r t i s t ,butnota gr e a tone .Re l uc t a nt l ygi vi nguphe rdr e a m,s hes e t t l e df orbe i ngac omme r c i a la r t i s t . Nows hea ndhe rmot he rl i ve di nt hehous e ,a ndJ e nni f e rmor eorl e s ss uppor t e dt he mbot hwi t hhe rwor k. He rf a t he rha dbe e nI ns ur e d,t houghl i t t l eoft ha tmone ywa sl e f tnow.J e nni f e ra ndhe rmot he rl i ve d c omf or t a bl y.Butne i t he rha de ve rbe e nr e c onc i l e dt oKe l l yspos s e s s i onofBe l l eRe t our ,a ndne i t he rha dgi ve n upt hede t e r mi na t i ont oge tt he i rpl a nt a t i onba c k. " Is houl dnotha vet a ke nt hebr a c e l e t . "Fr a nc e s c as a i ds udde nl y. J e nni f e rl ooke da the rwa r i l y.Suc hs t a t e me nt sf r om he rmot he rr a r e l yi ndi c a t e das e ns eofgui l t ." You s houl dn' tha v e ? "s hei nqui r e di nac a r e f ult one . " No.Is houl dha vet a ke noneofyourf a t he r ' sgunsf r omt hec a bi ne ti nt hes t udy, "Fr a nc e s c ade c i de d.He r bl a c ke ye ss na ppe d." Ye s !The nIc oul ds hoott ha tba s t a r d. " J e nni f e rwi nc e d,butmor ebe c a us es her e me mbe r e dwha tha dbe e ngoi ngoni nt hes t udyt oni ghtt ha nout ofa nyr e a ldi s ma ya the rmot he r ' swor ds .Longe xpe r i e nc ewi t hFr a nc e s c a ' swa yofr e a s oni ngma dehe ra ppe a lt o he rmot he r ' sma t e r na lf e e l i ngsr a t he rt ha nhe rgoods e ns e ." You' dbea r r e s t e df ormur de r ,a ndI ' dbea l la l one .Do your e a l l ywa ntt ha t ? " " Myba by! "Fr a nc e s c as a tont hea r mofhe rda ught e r ' sc ha i ra ndhugge dhe rt e mpe s t uous l y." Ofc our s e ,I woul dne ve ra ba ndonmyba by–e ve nt os ho ott ha tma ni nt hehe a r t .Butwemus tge tourBe l l eba c k,J e nni f e r . Wemus t ! " " Wewi l l , "J e nni f e ra s s ur e dhe r ." I ' vepr omi s e dyout ha t .Mot he r . " " Ve nde t t a. " " We l l ,t heAme r i c a nve r s i on,a nywa y. " Fr a nc e s c al ooke da the rs us pi c i ous l y." Yous oundl i keyourf a t he r ,myba by.Howc a nyouwi s hf orl e s s t ha nt ha tde s pi c a bl ema n' sbl ood ?Heki l l e dy ourf a t he ra nds t ol eourhome ! " J e nni f e rdi dn' tde nyt hea c c us a t i ons ,e ve nt houghs hec oul dha vepoi nt e doutt ha tnooneha df or c e d Ruf usCha nt r ya tgunpoi ntt opl a ypoke r ,muc hl e s st oputupt hede e dofBe l l eRe t ourwhe nheha dl os t pr a c t i c a l l ye ve r yt hi nge l s e .Sheha dl ove dhe rf a t he r ,butga mbl i ngha dbe e nhi swe a kne s sa nds hekne wi tt oo we l l . " We ' l lge te ve nwi t hKe l l y,Mot he r .Andwe ' l lge tBe l l ea wa yf r omhi m.Ipr omi s e .J us tpl e a s epr omi s e met ha tyouwon' tdoa nyt hi ngyour s e l f .Iha vet oc omeupwi t hapl a n,a ndi fyout r yt os t e a l ,Ime a nt a k e a nyt hi nge l s eoutoft hehous e .I t ' l lj us tma kei tmor ec ompl i c a t e df orme . " Fr a nc e s c al ooke ddoubt f ul ." I fyous a ys o,butIc a nnotwa i tmuc hl onge rf orr e ve nge . " Muc hl a t e r ,a ss hel a yi nhe rs ma l lbe dr ooma nds t a r e da tt heda r kc e l l i ng,J e nni f e ra c c e pt e dt hef a c tt ha t s hewa snowonade a dl i ne .He rmot he r ' spa t i e nc et he s el a s tye a r sha di nde e dbe e nr e ma r ka bl e ,a ndduepa r t l yt o t hef a c tt ha ts hea ndhe rda ught e rha dgonet oI t a l yt os pe ndmo nt hswi t hhe rf a mi l ya f t e rt hede a t hofRuf us .A r e t ur nt ohe rna t i vel a ndha dr e mi nde dFr a nc e s c aofJ us twhoa ndwha ts hewa s . Shewa sI t a l i a n,a ndhe rf a mi l ywa sknownf ora tl e a s toneve nde t t at ha tha dl a s t e dha l fac e nt ur y.So Fr a nc e s c awoul dbec ont e ntt owa i tf orhe rr e ve nge–a sl onga ss hewa ss ur es hewoul dge ti t . J e nni f e rwa sha l fI t a l i a n,a ndt hought heye a r si ne xpe ns i ves c hool sha da dde dal a dyl i kepol i s ht ohe r c oolbl ondl ooks ,unde rt hes ur f a c ehe rmot h e r ' sbl oodr a ns t r o ngi nhe r .Andwi t houtt hec a l mi ngi nf l ue nc eof he rf a t he r ,wh oha dbe e nqui t ea de pta tha ndl i ngt het e mpe s t sofLa t i nt e mpe ra ndi mpul s i ve ne s s ,J e nni f e rkne w s hewa sa ptt ober e c kl e s s . Buts hewant e dr e ve nge ,a ndnoa mountofs e ns i bl et houghtha dc ha nge dt ha t .Shewa nt e dhe rhomeba c k, s hewa nt e dt opr oveGa r r e t tKe l l yat hi e fa ndac he a t ,a nds hewa nt e dt oke e phe rmot he routofi tI fa ta l l pos s i bl e . Whi c hwa swhy,ofc our s e ,s heha dc r a s he dt hepa r t ya tBe l l eRe t ourt oni ghti ns e a r c hofhe rwa ywa r d mot he r .Andt ha nkGods heha df oundhe rbe f or eKe l l ykne we i t he roft he mwa st he r e . Re me mbe r i ngt ha t ,J e nni f e rs udde nl yr e c a l l e dt hebi gs t r a nge rwi t ht hel a ughi ngvi ol e te ye s .A t hi e f ? Wha tha dhet a ke nf r omt hes a f e ?Whowa she ?Sher e me mbe r e dhi ski s s ,a nds hi ve r e ds udde nl y,uns e t t l e d. J us tas t r a nge r ,ofc our s e ,a nds hewa s n' tl i ke l yt os e ehi ma ga i n.St i l l ,s hec oul dn' the l pwonde r i ngwha t heha dt a ke nf r omt hes a f e ....

Two I nal a r gehot e lont heout s ki r t sofLa keCha r l e s ,Da nePr e s c ot tt ur ne df r om t hewi ndowofhi ss i t t i ng r ooma ndl i f t e daque s t i oni ngbr owa tt hema ns e a t e dont hec ouc h." We l l ? " " I t ' sabe a ut ya l lr i ght . "Thema nwa st ur ni ngac ount e r f e i tpl a t eove ri nhi sha nds ." Some onewi t hr e a l t a l e ntma det h i s .Andyout ooki toutofKe l l y' ss a f e ? " " Ye a h.I ' vene ve rhe a r dawhi s pe rofhi sna mec onne c t e dwi t hc ount e r f e i t i ngope r a t i ons ;howa boutyou, Skye ? " " No.Buti twoul dn' tbet hef i r s tt i meapr i s t i ner e put a t i onc ove r e ds ome t hi ngdi r t y. "Hel ooke dups udde nl y." Ort h eoppos i t e .Youdi ds a yRa ve nha dgoneba c kt oNe wYor k? " " Fi r s tt hi ngt hi smor ni ng. "Da nes mi l e d." Sheknowsyou' r ehe r eba c ki ngmeup,buts hedoe s n' tknow whoyoua r e . " Skyes hookhi she a d." We ' vebe e nr un ni ngt hi ss c a mf ort ooma nyye a r s , "hes a i d." I tc a n' tgoonf or e ve r . If i gur eourt i me ' sr unni ngout . " " Pr oba bl y, "Da nea gr e e d." We ' l lha vet os e ei fwec a npul li tof fonemor et i me .Thi si sac a s et ha t

de ma ndsbot hofuswor koni t .Ic a nge ti n t oKe l l y' shous e ,Ima ye ve nbea bl et ol ooka r oundal i t t l e ,buti f we ' r egoi ngt ot i eKe l l yt oac ou nt e r f e i t i ngop e r a t i on,we ' l lne e dmor et ha nt hepl a t e .I fhe ' spr i nt i ngmone yhi ms e l f ,whe r e ' st hepr e s s ?How' shepa s s i ngt hef a kemone y? " " Hi si n f a mouspoke rga me s ? "Skyes u gge s t e d. " Ma ybe .Ima yha vet ha ta ns we r e dbyt oni ght .We ' vegott ona i li tdown,t hough. " " Agr e e d. "Skyel ooke dt hought f ul ." Byt hewa y,I ' vegott hea ns we r st ot hos eque s t i onsyouc a l l e di nl a s t ni ght .Be l l eRe t ouri sowne dbyKe l l y,l e ga l l y.I twa sof f i c i a l l yl i s t e da sat r a ns f e rf or' de bt sowe d. ' Fort ha t .you c a nr e a dpoke rl os s e s . " " Hewont hepl a nt a t i on? " " Fourye a r sa go,f r omRuf usCha nt r y .Thepl a c eha dbe e ni nhi sf a mi l yf ort wohundr e dye a r s .Cha nt r y wa sa ppa r e nt l yac ompul s i vega mbl e r ,ora tl e a s tc l os et oi t .Hel os tt hepl a nt a t i ona nde ve r yt hi nge l s eheowne d i nas i ngl ehi ghs t a ke spoke rga me .Twomont hsl a t e r ,hedi e dofahe a r ta t t a c k.Hel e f tbe hi ndawi dowwho wa s n' ta l l owe dt ot a kea nyt hi ngbuthe rc l ot he soutoft hehous e ,a ndada ught e rwhowa si nc ol l e gea tt het i me . " Da newa sl ooki ngve r yi nt e nt ." Ada ught e r ? " " Ye a h.Yourgue s sa boutt hepor t r a i twa sont a r ge t .J e nni f e rLoui s eCha nt r yi st hegr e a t gr a ndda ught e rof t hewoma ni nt hepa i nt i ng.She ' st we nt ys i x,ac omme r c i a la r t i s t ,a ndl i ve swi t hhe rmot he ri nas ma l lhous et ha t wa sonc eapa r tofBe l l eRe t our . He rf a t he rde e de di tt ohe ronh e rs i xt e e nt hbi r t hda y,a ppa r e nt l yf oras t udi o. " Af t e ramome nt ,Da nes a i dr e f l e c t i ve l y." Idon' tt hi nkIl i keGa r r e t tKe l l yve r ymuc h. " " Hewa sc e r t a i nl yadye di nt he woolba s t a r da boutt hepl a nt a t i on.Mr s .Cha nt r y,who' sv e r yI t a l i a n ,by t hewa y,wa s n' te ve na l l owe dt ot a kehe rj e we l r y.Ke l l yma i nt a i ne dt ha te ve r yl a s tr oc kwa spa r toft he' hous e a ndc ont e nt s 's i gne dove rt ohi m byCha nt r y,a ndt hel a wba c ke dhi m upbe c a us et hei ns ur a nc ei nve nt or yof j e we l r yl i s t e de ve r yt hi nga sapa r toft hef ami l ypr ope r t yr a t he rt ha nCha nt r y' spe r s ona lbe l ongi ngs ,a s s i gne d hi s t or i c a lva l ue . " " I ' ms u r pr i s e ds hedi dn' ts uehi mont ha tone , "Da nec omme nt e d,f r owni ng. " Ibe ts hewa nt e dt o.Wor dha si ts he ' sac ombus t i bl el a dy.Shedi dn' tgot oc our tove ri t ,t hough,a ndI c oul dn' tf i ndoutwhos ei de at ha twa s . "Skyer ubbe dhi snos e ,s udde nl ya mus e d." Ima na ge dt oge tabi tofgos s i p f r oms omeoft hel oc a l st hi smor ni ng.I ts e e msmos te ve r yonei nt hea r e aha sbe e nwa i t i ng,wi t hba i t e dbr e a t h, f orMr s .Cha nt r ye i t he rt oha ulof fa ndde c kKe l l y,ore l s et os t a bhi mwhe nhei s n' tl ooki ng. " Da nel i f t e da ne ye br ow." She ' st ha tI t a l i a n,huh? " " I ns pa de s .Andpe opl ea r oundt he s epa r t sf i gur es he ' swa i t e da sl onga ss hec a ns t a ndi tt oge te ve n. " Skyegr i nne d." We ' r es i t t i ngonapowde rke ghe r e . " " Ma ybe .ButI ' mnotwi l l i ngt opul lout .Howa boutyou? " " Oh,I ' mga me . " " Good . "Da newe ntove rt ot hec omp a c tba rt of i xt wodr i nks ,t he nc a r r i e dt he mt ot hec ouc ha nds a t down.Ha ndi n gonet oSkye ,hes a i dt hought f ul l y," Weha vet of i ndouta boutt ha ts e c ur i t yma nofKe l l y' s ,Br a dy Se t on,a ndi fKe l l yga vehi mor de r st ot r ya ndge tt oJ os hLong .I fs o,why?Wha t ' shi sga me ?Wea l s oha vet o f i ndoutwha tKe l l y' sdoi ngwi t hac ount e r f e i tpl a t e ,I fhe ' sr unni ngapr e s ss ome whe r e ,i fhe ' spa s s i ngt hemone y a ndhow,a ndi fhe ' sonhi sown. " " Ta l lor de r , "Skyec omme nt e d. Da nenodde d,buts a i d," Thec ount e r f e i t i ngbus i ne s sf i r s t ,It hi nk.I fwec a nge tKe l l yt i e dt ot ha t ,i t ' l lgi ve usal e ve rt of i ndoutwha thi sI nt e r e s ti si nJ os hLong. " " Sowha t ' syourpl a n? " Wi t hawr yl a ugh,Da ner e pl i e d," Tod owha twedobe s t ,ofc our s e . " *** J e nni f e rt r i e dt oc onc e nt r a t eont hea dve r t i s i ngl a youts hewa swor ki ngon,buthe rmi ndwa nde r e d.She l ooke da r oundt het i nye xt r abe dr oomt ha tha dbe c omehe rs t udi owi t houtr e a l l ys e e i ngi t .Ve nde t t a.He rmo t he r me a ntt hewor di ni t sf ul l e s ts e n s e :abl oodf e ud,a na l l out ,he l l f or l e a t he rt a ki ngofr e ve nge ,noma t t e rwha tt he c os t . Thepr obl e mwa s ,apa r tofJ e nni f e rwa nt e dt ha ta swe l l .Shet r i e dt ot e mpe rt hede s i r e ,a s s ur i nghe r s e l f t ha tnobl oodne e dbes pi l l e d,t h a tj us tge t t i ngt hepl a nt a t i onba c kwoul dbee nough.Butt hef e wt i me ss he ' ds e e n Ga r r e t tKe l l ys heha dbe e nuns e t t l e dbyt hepowe r f ulur get ol e a pa thi ma nds c r a t c hhi se ye sout . He rmot he rwoul dha vea ppr ove dwhol e he a r t e dl y. J e nni f e rwa nt e dt oge te ve n,buts hedi dn' tknowhour .Al lhe re f f or t st opr oveKe l l yha dc he a t e di nt he poke rga meha dc omet onot hi ng.He rf a t he rh a ds i gne dove rt hede e dbe f or er e put a bl ewi t ne s s e s ;t hel a wwa son Ke l l y' ss i de .Andt houghFr a nc e s c ape r i odi c a l l ya c c us e dt hema nofbe i ngt hewor s tki ndofc r ook,J e nni f e r ha dn' tbe e na bl et of i nde vi de nc et ha thewa sa nyt hi ngbutamode lc i t i z e nwi t hat a s t ef orpr i va t ega mbl i ng. Va gue l y,s hewa sa wa r eoft hedoor be l lr i ngi ng.Shej us tdi dn' tknow– " Howdar ey ou! " Shehe a r dt hos ewor dsf r om he rmo t he ra ndl e a pe dup,hur r i e doutofhe rs t udi o,downt heha l la nd t owa r dt hef r ontdoor .Tha tpa r t i c ul a rt onei nhe rmot he r ' svoi c ewa sr e s e r ve df orGa r r e t tKe l l y,a ndi ft ha tma n ha dda r e dt oc omehe r e ,he rmot he rwa spe r f e c t l yc a pa bl eofki l l i nghi m. Shes t oppe da tt hee ndoft heha l l wa y,knowi ngs hec oul dn' tbes e e nbywhoe ve rwa sout s i de ,whi l es he c oul ds e ec l e a r l y.Fr a nc e s c aha dt hef r ontdo orbl oc ke dwi t hhe rs t i f fbody,e ve r ya ngl es howi ngpr oudout r a ge . AndKe l l y' sa ngr yvoi c ewa spe r f e c t l ya udi bl et oJ e nni f e r . " Youwe r ebot ht he r el a s tni ght ,a ndd on' tde nyi t !ButI ' mpr e pa r e dt obege ne r ous .Iwon' tpr e s sc ha r ge s a ga i ns tyou,butIwi l lha vemypr ope r t yr e t ur ne d. " " Yourpr ope r t y? "Fr a nc e s c a ' svoi c er os et oama gni f i c e nts opr a no,s t e a dya sar oc k." Yous oul l e s sc ur ,t he br a c e l e ti smypr ope r t y!Mi ne ,doyouhe a r ?Myde a rhus ba ndga vei tt ome ,a ndIwi l lnots e ei ti nyourha nds ! "

" Br a c e l e t ? "Ke l l ys ounde ds ur pr i s e d,buthi svoi c equi c kl yha r de ne da ga i n." Idon' tgi veada mna bout a nybr a c e l e t .Ij us twa ntwha tyo ut ookf r ommys a f e . " " Yours a f e ?I tI snotyours a f e !I ti smyhus band' ss a f e ,mys a f e ,a ndmydaught e r ' ss a f e !I ti sourhous e ! Yous t ol ei tf r omus ,yout hi e vi ngs onofa–" " Oh,f orGod' ss a ke ! "Ke l l ye xpl ode d." Whe r e ' syourda ught e r ?Ma ybes heknowshowt ot a l ks e ns e . " Fr a nc e s c adr e whe r s e l fupe ve nmor es t i f f l y,a ndhe rvoi c edr oppe ds udde nl y,e ve na ndde a dl y." Youwi l l nott ouc hmyba by.Youwi l lnote nt e rourho us e .I fyouc omene a rusa ga i n,Iwi l lc utyourhe a r tout . " Af t e ral ongs i l e nc e ,Ke l l ys a i df ur i ous l y," Thi si s n' tove r .I ' l lge tmypr ope r t yba c k. " " No, "Fr a nc e s c at ol dhi m ge nt l y." Wewi l lge tourpr ope r t yba c k. "Shes t e ppe dba c ka nds l a mme dt he door ,l oc ki ngi twi t ha na udi bl ec l i c k. " Mot h e r ? "J e nni f e rmove df or wa r d,s ha ke nbyt heha t r e d–a ndt heda nge r–s heha dhe a r di nKe l l y' s voi c e He rmot he rt ur ne dt ohe r ,pe r f e c t l yc a l m,a ndhe l doutas ma l lr ubyc l ut c hpur s e ." Youl e f tt hi sa tt he hous el a s tni ght . " " I ' df or got t e na l la bouti t . "J e nni f e rt o okt hepur s e ." Nowonde rhekne wwe ' dbe e nt he r e .Idr ovet hec a r pa r t wa y,s oIt ookmyl i c e ns e . " " He ' sahor r i bl ewor m, "Fr a nc e s c as a i d.Buts hes ounde dc ont e nt ,a ndJ e nni f e rkne wi twa sbe c a us ehe r mot he rha dde f i ni t e l ye nj oye dt h ec onf r ont a t i on. ButJ e nni f e rwa swor r i e d.Sheha dn' tl i ke dt hes oundofKe l l y' svoi c e ;heha ds ounde dbot he nr a ge da nd, c ur i ous l y,pa ni c ky.I twa sha r dl yas t a bl ec ombi na t i onRe a l i z i ngs udde nl y,s hes a i ds l owl y," Wha tc oul dha ve be e nt a ke nf r omhi ss a f e ?Tha tot he rma n...pe r ha pshe... " " Wha tma n? "he rmot he ra s ke dc ur i ou s l y. " Some onea tt hepa r t y. "J e nni f e r ' svoi c ewa sa bs e nt ." Andhes a i ds ome t hi nga boutnotwa nt i nga nyonet o s e a r c hf ormi s s i ngva l ua bl e s .But ,wha twa si t ? " " It ooknot hi ngt ha tdi dnotbe l ongt ome , "Fr a nc e s c as t a t e dvi r t uous l y. J e nni f e rnodde d,a ga i na bs e nt l y." Ye s .Mot he r ,Ine e dt oma keaf e wc a l l s ,t he nIma yha vet odr i vei nt o t own. " " Fi ne ,myba by.Is ha l lr e a dabook.Andt oni ght ,wewi l lha veac e l e br a t i onbe c a us eIdr ovet ha twor m f r omourdoor . " Al mos twi nc i ng,J e nni f e rr e f l e c t e dt ha the rmot he r ' sc e l e br a t i onst e nde dt obeha r dont hes t oma c h.I t a l i a n ornot ,Fr a nc e s c ac oul dn' tc ook–butr e f us e dt os t opt r yi ng.St i l l ,c ul i na r ypur s ui t ske pthe rmot he rha ppi l y oc c upi e d,a ndJ e nni f e rwa swi l l i ngt oputupwi t hwha t e ve rwa sne c e s s a r yt oke e phe rha ppy. Re t ur ni ngt ohe rs t udi o,J e nni f e rc a l l e daf a mi l i a rnumbe ra nds mi l e da sabr i ghtvoi c ea ns we r e d. " J e nni f e r !Is a wyoua tt hepa r t yl a s tni ght .I t ' sagoodt hi ngt ha tKe l l ype r s onwa sbus ywi t hhi spo ke r ga mei nt heba c kpa r l or .Wha tone a r t hwe r eyoudoi ngt he r e ? " " Gua r di ngt hef a mi l ys i l ve r ,Sha r on, "J e nni f e rr e pl i e dl i ght l y. " Oh,I ' vebe e ndoi ngt ha tf oryou,s we e t i e .Whye l s ewoul dIgot ot ha ta wf ulma n' spa r t i e s ? " Sha r onLa Cos sha dbe e nJ e nni f e r ' sbe s tf r i e nda l lt hr oughs c hool ,a ndt he ywe r es t i l lc l os e .Sha r ona l s o kne we ve r yon ei nt hea r e a ,a nds hewa si nf a mousf orhe ra bi l i t ynotonl yt os potas t r a nge ri nhe ror bi t ,buta l s o t of i ndoute xa c t l ywhot hes t r a nge rwa swi t hi nhour s . " Sha r on,Ine e dyourhe l p. " " J us ta s k, "he rf r i e nds a i dI ns t a nt l y. " The r ewa sama na tt hepa r t yI ' vene ve rs e e nbe f or e .Bi g,da r k,ve r ygoodl ooki ng,a ndhewa swe a r i nga c r e a mc ol or e dt ux.Iha vet ot a l kt ohi m. " " Nop r obl e m, "Sha r ons a i dc he e r f ul l y." I ' dha veha dt obebl i ndnott onot i c et ha tone .Hec a mei nwi t ha l ove l ybr une t t eonhi sa r m;di dn ' ts pe ndt oomuc ht i mewi t hhe r ,t hough. " J e nni f e rf e l tapa ngs her e f us e dt oa c knowl e dge ." Doyouknowwhohei s ? " " Ri c kf oundoutf orme , "Sha r ons a i d,r e f e r r i ngt ohe rf i a nc éoft womont hs ." Theguy' sna mei sDa ne Pr e s c ot t ,a ndhe ' ss t a yi nga tahot e lhe r ei nLa keCha r l e s .Se e msoneofKe l l y' spoke rbuddi e sbr oughthi ma l ong t ot hepa r t ya ndi nt r oduc e dhi m.He ' ss uppos e dt obes omehot s hotga mbl e rf r omFl or i da ,wi t hal otofbuc ks . " " Is e e . " Sha r on' svoi c ewa ve r e dbe t we e nc ur i os i t ya ndt e a s i ng." I fyou' r ewor r i e da boutt hebr une t t e ,I ' ds a y t he r e ' snot hi ngt he r ebutf r i e nds hi p.The ya c t e dl i kebuddi e s ,notl ove r s .Nor oma nt i cs pa r k,youknow? " J e nni f e rbi tba c ka ni ns t i nc t i vede ni a lofi nt e r e s ti nDa nePr e s c ot ta sama n,s i nc et het r ut hwa sabi tt oo c ompl i c a t e dt ogoi nt oa tt hemome nt ." We ' l ls e e .Um...e xa c t l ywhe r ei shes t a yi ng,Sha r on? " SoSha r ont ol dhe r .Exa c t l y. *** Theknoc kont hedoorc a us e dbot hme nt ogos t i l l .Skyel ooke da tDa ne ,a nda s ke ds of t l y," Expe c t i ng a nyone ? " " No, "Da ner e pl i e dJ us ta ss of t l y." Noone . " Skyer os ea ndmove ds oundl e s s l ya c r os st her oomt owa r dt hebe dr oom,c a r r yi ngt hec ount e r f e i tpl a t ei n oneha nd,a ndhi sdr i nki nt heot he r ." I ' l lwa i ti nt he r e . " " Ri ght . "Da nes l i dhi ss ke t c hofKe l l y' shous eof ft hec of f e et a bl ea ndpl a c e di ti nt het opdr a we roft he de s k,t he nwe ntt ot hedoora ndl ooke dt hr ought hes e c ur i t ype e phol e .Hegl a nc e dba c kove rhi ss houl de rt o ma kes ur et hebe dr oomdoorwa sc l os e d,t he nope ne dt hi sdoora nds t e ppe dba c k. " He l l oa ga i n,Mi s sCha nt r y. " Shec a mei nt ot hes ui t ewi t hade t e r mi ne ds t r i de ,a ndDa nec oul dha r dl yhe l pbe i nga mus e da shec l o s e d t hedoorbe hi ndhe ra ndf ol l owe dhe ri nt ot hes i t t i ngr oom.Toda y,s hewa swe a r i ngj e a nsa ndas hor t s l e e ve d

bl ous e ,he rgol de nha i rs we ptupc a s ua l l yi naponyt a i l ;s hel ook e dyounge rt ha nl a s tni ght ,butj us ta sl ove l ya nd c ons i de r a bl yl e s sf r i ght e ne d. Heha davi vi dme mor yoft hewa yt ha tr ubygownha dc l ungt ohe re ve r yc ur ve ,a ndhi sbodyr e me mbe r e dt oowe l lt hos ec ur ve spr e s s e da ga i ns th i m. " Wha tc a nIdof oryou? "hea s ke dpol i t e l y,l e a ni ngba c ka ga i ns tt heba rwi t hhi sa r msc r os s e dove rhi s c he s t . " Whywe r eyoua tBe l l eRe t ourl a s tni ght ? "s hede ma nde d. " The r ewa sapa r t y.Youma yha venot i c e d. " He rbl uee ye st ookonagl i ntofa nge r ." Tha ti s n' twha tIme a nt ,a ndyouknowi t .Wha tdi dyout a kef r om t hes a f e ? " " Not hi ngofyour s .Oryourmot he r ' s . " Shewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,s t a r i nga thi m.Howmuc hdi dheknowa bouthe ra ndhe rmot he r ?Agr e a t de a l ,i ts e e me d.The n,s l owl y,s hes a i d," Yout ooks ome t hi ngofKe l l y' s .Some t hi ngi mpor t a nt . " Da ner a i s e da ne ye br ow." Wha tma ke syous a yt ha t ? " " Be c a us ehet hi nksmymot he ra ndIha vei t .Hec a met oourhous eac oupl eofhour sa go,de ma ndi ngwe gi vei tba c k.Het hr e a t e ne dmymot he r .Idon' tl i kei twhe ns ome onet hr e a t e nsmymot he r . "Shedr e wade e p br e a t h." I ' ds i dewi t ht hede vi li fKe l l ywe r es t or mi nghe l l ,butIwon' tha vemymot he rhur t .SoIwa ntt oknow e xa c t l ywha tyous t ol ef r omKe l l y. " " Da mn, "Da nemut t e r e d,f r owni ng.Heha dn' te xpe c t e dKe l l yt obl a met het he f toft hepl a t eona nyone s pe c i f i c .Cons i de r i nghowc r owde dl a s tni ght ' spa r t yha dbe e n,a nyonec oul dha vegot t e ni na ndoutoft hes t udy. Buti tma des e ns ef orhi mt os us pe c tJ e nni f e ra ndhe rmot he r ;t ha ts a f eha dn' tbe e nc ha nge di nt we nt yye a r s ,s o ofc our s et he y ' dknowt hec ombi na t i on. " Wha tdi dyout a keoutoft hes a f e ? " Da ner a naha nda r oundt heba c kofhi sne c ka ndl ooke dr ue f ul l ya the r ." Ic a n' ta ns we rt ha t ,I ' ma f r a i d. " " Whynot ? " " I ' mn oti I nagoodpos i t i onhe r e , "hes a i d." Ic e r t a i nl ydon' twa ntKe l l yt of i ndoutIgoti nt ohi ss a f e .I n f a c t ,t ha t ' st hel a s tt hi ngIwa nthi mt oknow.Sowhys houl dIbl i t he l yt e l lyouwha tIt ookoutoft ha ts a f e ? " J e nni f e rs a whi spoi nt ,buts heha dn' tc omehe r epr e pa r e dt ot a kenof ora na ns we r .Shegr i t t e dhe rt e e t h. " Wor dha si tyouc a mehe r et opl a ypoke rwi t hhi m.Ic a nt e l lyour i ghtnowhewon' twe l c omeyoui fIt e l lhi m youwe r ei nhi ss t udyl a s tni ght ,a ndt ha tyouha dt hes a f eope n. " " Wha twoul dyouga i nbydoi ngt ha t ? "Da nea s ke ds l owl y. " Mymot he r ' ss a f e t y.Ke l l y' sde s pe r a t et oge tba c kwha t e ve ri twa syout ook.AndIdon' tmuc hc a r ewho he ' sa f t e ra sl onga si ti s n' tmymot he rorme . " " Re a s o na bl e , "Da nea gr e e ddr yl y.Hes t udi e dhe rf oramome nti ns i l e nc e ." Thegr a pe vi nea r oundhe r ei s pr e t t ygood.Wha te l s eha veyouf oundouta b outme ? " " Tha tyou' r eaga mbl e rf r omFl or i dawi t hal otofmone yt ol os e .Ia l r e a dykne wyouwe r eat hi e f . " " J us tl i keIkne wyouwe r eat hi e f . " J e nni f e rs t i f f e ne d." Ia mnot !Ij us t–" " Appe a r a nc e s , "Da nemur mur e d," c a nbede c e pt i ve .Ne ve ra s s ume ,Mi s sCha nt r y.Orma yIc a l lyou J e nny? " Shebl i nke da thi m,s udde nl ydoubt f ul .Wa sheonl yaga mbl e ra ndt hi e f–orwa shes ome t hi ngmo r e ? Shedi dn' tknow,c oul dn' tbes ur e ." Nobodyc a l l smeJ e nny, "s hes a i da tl a s t . " The nI ' l lbet heonl yone .Good. "Be f or es hec oul dr e s pond,hewe ntonc a l ml y." I ' vebe e nl i s t e ni n gt o t hegr a pe vi net oo.AndIhe a r dt ha tbot hyoua ndyourmot he rwa ntBe l l eRe t ourba c k.Al s o,Iunde r s t a ndt ha t youwoul dde a r l yl ovet oge tyourha ndsoname a nsf orr e ve ngea ga i ns tKe l l y. " I twa sa l lc ommonknowl e dgei nt hea r e a ,butJ e nni f e rwa s n' tha ppyhekne w." So? " Hedr e wabr e a t ha ndl e ti touts l owl y." So,ma ybewec a nwor kt oge t he r . " " Whys houl dIt r us tyou? " " You' l lha vet ode c i def oryour s e l fa boutt ha t .Al lIc a nt e l lyoui st ha tt hepr os pe c t sa r egoodf orKe l l y goi ngt oj a i lf oral ong,l ongt i me .Andnotf o rc he a t i nga tc a r ds . " " Forwha t ? " " Fi r s t , "Da nes a i dc a l ml y," youha vet ode c i dewhe t he ryout r us tme . " " Howc a nIknow?Te l lmes ome t hi ngt oc onvi nc eme . " Da negr i nne d." We l l ,Ic oul dt e l lyout ha tmyhe a r ti spur e ,butIdoubtyou' dbe l i e veme . " Ri di c ul ous l y,J e nni f e rf e l the r s e l ft or nbe t we e ngi ggl i nga nds nor t i ngi ndi s be l i e f .Oh,t hi sma nha d c ha r m.Why,s hef e l ts hec oul da l mos tpl uc ki toutoft hea i r ,l i kear a i ndr op.Shes t e e l e dhe r s e l fa ga i ns tt he a ppe a lofhi m,r e me mbe r i ngt hene e df orr e ve ngea ga i ns tKe l l y,r e me mbe r i nghe rmot he r ,r e me mbe r i nga " l ove l ybr une t t e . "" You' r er i ght .Idon' tbe l i e veyou. " Her ubbe dhi snos e ,l ooki nga the rt hought f ul l ybutwi t ht hos evi vi de ye sl a ughi ng." Iwa sa f r a i doft ha t . AndIdon' ts uppos es we a r i ngonmyhonorwoul ddoa nygoode i t he r ? " " I fIdon' tknowwhe t he ryou' r et r us t wor t hy, "s hepoi nt e dout ," t he nwhywoul dIbe l i e veyouhav ea ny honor ? " Hes i ghe d." Tha ti sapoi nt .Look,J e nny,oneofusi sgoi ngt oha vet ot r us tt heot he r ,orwewon' tge t a nywhe r e . " Shel i f t e dhe rc hi n." The nyout r us tme .Si nc eyous e e mt oknows omuc ha boutmyba c kgr ound,you mus tha vegue s s e dt ha tt hebr a c e l e tIt ookl a s tni ghtbe l onge dt oe i t he rmeormymot he r .I ts houl dbef a i r l y obvi oust ha tIha vee ve r yr e a s oni nt hewor l dt owa ntt oge tGa r r e t tKe l l y.I t ' syourr e a s onst ha ta r ei ndoubt he r e . "

Da nes i ghe da ga i n." Al lr i ght ,da mmi t .Si tdown–we ' r egoi ngt obehe r ef orawhi l e .Woul dyoul i kea dr i nk,c of f e e ? " " No,t ha nkyou. "Shes a tdownabi tg i nge r l yononee ndoft hel ongc ouc h,a ndwa t c he dhi ms i tac oupl e off e e ta wa y.Andhe rgua r dwa sba c kup,be c a us es ome t hi ngt ol dhe rt hi sa br uptgi vi ngi nofhi sha dbe e n e xpr e s s l yde s i gne dt owi nhe rt r us t . Conve r s a t i ona l l y,hea s ke d," Doyouknowt ha tyoure ye st ur na l mos tgr a ywhe nyou' r es udde nl yha vi ng mi s gi vi ngsa bouts ome t hi ng? " J e nni f e rbl i nke d." Wha t ? " " We l l ,i t ' sobvi ousyout hi nkI ' mt r yi ngt ot r i c kyoui ns omewa y. "Hewa sha l ft ur ne dt owa r dhe r ,one a r ma l ongt heba c koft hec ouc hbe t we e nt he m." I ' mnott ha tde vi ous ,Ipr omi s eyou. " Sher e s e r ve dj udgme ntont ha t ,t r yi ngt oi gnor et hebe a ut i f ul ,l ongf i nge r e dha nds one a rhe rs houl de r . " J us tt e l lmewha tt hi si sa l la bout ,a l lr i ght ? " " Al lr i ght . "Ca r e f ul l y,Da nebe ga nbys a yi ng," Iwa sa s ke dbyaf r i e ndt oc he c kt hec ont e nt sofKe l l y' s s a f e .And,be f or eyoua s k,wha tIwa sl ooki ngf orha dnot hi ngt odowi t hva l ua bl e s ;Iwa nt e dt of i nds omepa pe r c onne c t i onbe t we e nKe l l ya nda not he rma n.Si nc et ha tha snot hi ngt odowi t hyou,a nds i nc ei ti s n' tmys t or y a nywa y,you' l lha vet ot a ket ha tmuc honf a i t h. " Shea c c e pt e dt ha tf ort hemome nt ,butha dwha ts e e me dt ohe rape r t i ne ntque s t i on." Doyourf r i e nds of t e na s kyout obr e a ki nt oot he rpe opl e ' ss a f e s ? " Da newa ss mi l i ng." We l l ,l e t ' sj us ts a yt ha ts ome t i me smyf r i e ndsne e dt oknowt hi ngsa boutpe opl e ,a ndI ha ppe nt obegooda tge t t i ngi nf or ma t i on. . " " Bybr e a ki ngi nt os a f e s ? " " Wha t e ve ri tt a ke s . " J e nni f e rf e l tba f f l e d.Thi sdi dn' ts oundl i keaga r de nva r i e t yt hi e forga mbl e r ;butt he n,howma nyoft h os e ha ds heme t ?" Al lr i ght .Fornow. " " Sus pi c i ousJ e nny. " Shewa s n' ts ur es hel i ke dt hewa yhes a i dt ha ts hor t e ne dve r s i onofhe rna me .I ts ounde dl i keac a r e s s . " J us tf i ni s ht hes t or y,woul dyou,pl e a s e ? " " Ce r t a i nl y.Idi dn' tf i ndt ha tpa pe rc onne c t i onIwa sl ooki ngf ori nt hes a f e .ButIdi df i ndapl a t eus e dt o c ount e r f e i thu ndr e ddol l a rbi l l s . " Shef e l the re ye swi de n." Wha t ? " " I nt e r e s t i ng,i s n' ti t ?Af i ne ,upr i ghtc i t i z e nl i keKe l l yma ki nghi sownmone y.I fhei s ,ofc our s e . " J e nni f e rwa st r yi ngt ot hi nkc l e a r l y." The r e ' saque s t i ona boutt ha t ?Ime a n,whye l s ewoul dheha vet hi s. ..t hi spl a t e ? " " Hec oul dha vebe e nhol di ngi tf oraf r i e nd;hec oul d' ha vef oundi thi ms e l fa ndbebus ybl a c kma i l i ng s ome one .Yo us e e .J e nny,wene e dt womor ei t e mst opr oveKe l l y' sma ki ngmone yhi ms e l f .Theot he rpl a t e , be c a us ei tt a ke st wot opr i ntabi l l ,a ndt hepr e s st odot hepr i nt i ng. " " Is e e . "Shemus e da boutt ha tf oramo me nt ,t he nf r owne da thi m." Wha t ' syoura ngl ei nt hi s ? " " J us t i c e ? "hes ugge s t e di nt het oneofama nwhodi dn' te xpe c tt obebe l i e ve d. " Tr ya ga i n. " Da nes hr ugge d." Al lr i ght ,t he n.Iha v eaf r i e ndi nt heTr e a s ur yDe pa r t me nt ,a ndIowehi m.Af t e rIf ound t hepl a t el a s tni ght ,Iga vehi mac a l l .Hea s ke dmet ot r ya ndf i ndt hos eot he rt woi t e ms ,a ndt os e ei fIc oul d di s c ove rwhe t he rKe l l y' spa s s i ngphonymone ya thi spoke rga me s .Is a i dI ' ddoi t .Iha t ede bt s , "hea dde da l mos t pa r e nt he t i c a l l y. Thos ewe r et hef i r s twor dshe ' ds a i dt ha the l dar i ngoft r ut hf orJ e nni f e r .Shebe l i e ve dhi m.He rf a t he r ha dbe e nt hes a mewa ya boutde bt s ;s hewonde r e di dl yi fi twa sat r a i tpe c ul i a rt oga mbl e r s ." Sowha t ' r eyou pl a n ni ngt odo? " " Thef i r s tt hi ngweha vet odo, "hes a i d," i sge tt hepl a t eba c ki nt oKe l l y' spos s e s s i onwi t houtma ki nghi m s us pi c i ous . " " I st ha tpos s i bl e ? " " I tbe t t e rbe .Weha vet odi ve r ts us pi c i onf r om youa ndyourmot he r ,a nda tt hes a met i meke e pi tf a r a wa yf r om me .Asyoupoi nt e dout ,Ke l l ywoul dha r dl yi nvi t emei nt ohi shous ei fhef oundoutI ' dr i f l e dhi s s a f e .AndIha vet obea bl et oc omea ndgoa tt hehous e ,orwe l lne ve rf i ndt hee vi de nc et oputhi ma wa yf or good. " J e nni f e rwa squi e tf oramome nt ,t he ns a i d," Idon' ts uppos et hi si sgoi ngt oge tBe l l eRe t ourba c kf or mot he r ? " Da nehe s i t a t e d." Idon' tknow.ButIh a vet ot e l lyoui t ' sdoubt f ul .Thepl a nt a t i onwa sl e ga l l yt r a ns f e r r e d i nt oKe l l y' sna me .Cha nc e sa r e ,t hepr ope r t y' shi snoma t t e rwha tha ppe ns .The r e ' sas l i mc ha nc et hough,t ha ti f hewe r ec onvi c t e da ndt hegove r nme nts l a ppe dahe f t yf i neonhi ma swe l la sapr i s ont e r m,hewoul dha vet o s e l lBe l l eRe t ourt or a i s et hemone y. " " Coul d n' twepr ovehec he a t e dmyf a t he r ? "J e nni f e ra s ke d." Ape r s oni s n' ta l l owe dt opr of i tf r omc r i me , a ndhedi d! " " Tha t ' sas t i c kypoi ntt opr ovei nc our twhe ni tc ome st oga mbl i ng. " J e nni f e rha dke pthe rhope supt he s el a s tye a r s ,c onvi nc e dt ha ts hec oul ddos ome t hi ngt or e s t or eBe l l e Re t ourt ot hef a mi l y.Now,f ort hef i r s tt i me ,s her e a l i z e dhowi mpos s i bl eadr e a mt ha tha dbe e n.He rhome ,l os t t ohe r .He rpr omi s et ohe rmot he r ,j us ts oma nye mpt ywor ds . " Da mn, "s hewhi s pe r e d." Wec a n' tge ti tba c k.Wec a nne ve rge ti tba c k. " " Ye s ,youc a n, "Da nes a i ds udde nl y." Andyouwi l l . " Shel o oke da thi m,bl i ndf oramome nt ,he re ye sf ul lofune xpe c t e dt e a r s ." Wha t ?How? "

Hes mi l e da nodd,c r ooke ds mi l e ." Ont ha tpoi nt ,you' l la ga i nha vet ot r us tme .ButIpr omi s eyou,J e n ny, be f or et hi si sove r ,you' l lha veBe l l eRe t ourb a c k. " Shedi dn' tbe l i e vehi m.But ,a tt hes a met i me ,s her e a l i z e dt ha the ronl yc ha nc eofr e ve ngea ga i ns tKe l l y l a yi nhe l pi ngt of i nde vi de nc ea ga i ns thi mf o rc ount e r f e l t i ng.I fs hec oul ddot ha t ,i twoul dbee nough.I twoul d ha vet obee nough. " Oka y.Sowha tdowedo? " " Fi r s t ,Iwa ntyout opa yal i t t l evi s i tt oKe l l y. " " Iha t et ha tma n, "s hes a i d. " Good .Ma kes ur ehes e e si t .You' r ef ur i ouswi t hhi m.Hec a met oyourhous ea ndt hr e a t e ne dyour mot he r ,a l lbe c a us ehet houghts het ooks ome t hi ngf r omhi ss a f e .Te l lhi myourmot he rwe ntnowhe r ene a rt ha t s t udy,butyous a wot he rpe opl egoi ngi na ndouta l le ve ni ng.Eve noneofhi ss e c ur i t yme nwe nti na tl e a s tt hr e e t i me s–yous a whi m. " J e nni f e rwa sl i s t e ni ngi nt e nt l y." Whya mIpoi nt i nga tt hes e c ur i t ygua r di npa r t i c ul a r ? " " He ' sa sgoodat a r ge ta sa ny.Be s i de s ,Is t i l lha vet oc he c kont ha tc onne c t i onIme nt i one d.Soyoube s ur ea nddi r e c tKe l l y' sa t t e nt i ont ha twa y.Andhe ' l lf i ndt hepl a t ehi dde ni nt hegua r d' sr oom. " " Howwi l l–Oh.You' l lputi tt he r e ? " " Ri ght .Byt hewa y,s i nc eKe l l ydi dn ' tt e l lyouwha tha dbe e ns t ol e n,bec a r e f ulnott ol e tont ha tyou know. " " HeknowsMot he r–Igott hebr a c e l e t . " Da nedi dn' ta ppe a rt onot i c et hes l i p." Fi ne .Goont ohi ma boutt ha t–t ha ti twa sj us tal ous ybr a c e l e t , not hi ngt oma kes uc haf us sove r .Re a l l ygi vehi mhe l l .How' syourt e mpe r ? " Shema na ge das mi l e ." I ' mha l fI t a l i a n.Myt e mpe r ' saf or c eofna t ur e . " Hel a ughe ds of t l y." Pe r f e c t . " " Wha tha ppe nsa f t e rhef i ndst hepl a t e ,a s s umi nghebe l i e ve smea nds e a r c he st hegua r d' sr oom? " " The nIgot owor kt r yi ngt of i ndt heot he rpl a t ea ndt hepr e s s .I t ' sve r yl i ke l yt ha ti ti ss ome whe r ei nt he hous e ,orne a r by. " J e nni f e rwa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he nof f e r e d," Ic oul ds ke t c haf l oorpl a nf oryou.I tmi ghts a vet i me . " Da ner os ea ndwe ntove rt ot hede s k,r e t ur ni ngwi t hs e ve r a lbl a nkpi e c e sofhot e ls t a t i one r ya ndape nc i l . Hes a tdown–abi tc l os e rt hi st i me–a ndha nde dt he mt ohe r ." Tha nkyou.J e nny, "hes a i dqui e t l y. Sher e a c he df oral a r gehot e lme nuont hec of f e et a bl ea nds l i di tunde rt hepa pe r sonhe rl a p,t he nbe nt he rhe a da ndbe ga ns ke t c hi ng." Idon' tknowwhyI ' mt r us t i ngyou. "s hemut t e r e d,ha l fa ngr y." You' l lpr oba bl y s t e a le ve r yt hi ngbutt hedr a pe s . " " No,Iwon' tdot ha t . " Shes ke t c he df oraf e wmome nt s ,butt hes i l e nc ebe ga nt obot he rhe r .Ands hec oul df e e lhi se ye sonhe r , notl a ughi ngnowbutl i tf r omwi t hi na sa l wa ys ,l i kec a ndl e l i ghtt hr oughf i nevi ol e tc hi na .Li kes unl i ghtt hr ough pur pl ec l ouds ,a f t e ras t or m." Whydi dyoube c omeaga mbl e r ? "s hea s ke da br upt l y. Fort hef i r s tt i meDa nef oundt ha tque s t i ondi f f i c ul tt oa ns we r .Andhekne wwhy.He rf a t he rha dl os the r homega mbl i ng;s hec oul dn' tha veahi ghopi ni onoft ha tpa r t i c ul a rf or mof" r e c r e a t i on. "Hekne w,i nf a c t ,t ha ti t wa shi sga mbl i ngs hemi s t r us t e dmor et ha nhi spos s i bl et a l e nta ts t e a l i ng. " Noa ns we r ? "s hea s ke ddr yl y. " Iha ppe nt obegooda ti t , "hes a i df i n a l l y." Iha veagr e a tme mor ya nde xc e l l e ntc onc e nt r a t i on,a ndI ' ve be e npl a yi ngc a r dss i nc eIwa saki d.I ' mapr of e s s i onalga mbl e r .J e nny. Notac ompul s i veone . " " I st he r eadi f f e r e nc e ? " Hes t udi e dhe rde l i c a t e ,s e r i ouspr of i l e ,a wa r es udde nl yofaj umbl eofe mot i ons .Hedi dn' twa nthe rt o be l i e vet hewor s tofhi m,butheha dl i t t l ec hoi c eot he rt ha nt oc ont i nuet e l l i nghe rt heva r i e t yofha l f t r ut hshe ha dl i ve dwi t ha ndpr ot e c t e df ormor et ha nt e nye a r s . Noc hoi c e . " The r e ' sadi f f e r e nc e , "het ol dhe r ." Ine ve rbe l i e veba dl uc kwi l lt ur nwi t ht hene xtc a r d;Ine ve rbe l i e ve goodl uc kwi l ll a s t ;a ndIne ve rb e te v e r y t hi ng.Ne ve r . "

Thr ee " Ar eyoul uc ky? "s hea s ke dwi t houtl ooki nga thi m. " Us ua l l y. " " Doy ouc he a t ? " Theque s t i ondi dn' tof f e ndhi m,notwhe nhekne whe rowns t or ya swe l la shedi d." Iknowhow, "hes a i d s t e a di l y." AndIknowhowt os potot he r sc he a t i ng. " " Youdi dn' ta ns we rt heque s t i on. " Hec oul dn' ta ns we rwi t hal i e ." Ine ve rha ve .ButIs uppos eIwoul d,i ft hes t a ke swe r ehi ghe nough. " " Wha tpr i c ehonor , "s hemur mur e d. Tha tdi dbot he rDa ne ,a ndt hought he r ewa snos ound,hec oul da l mos tf e e lSkyemover e s t l e s s l yi nt he ne xtr oom a she ,t oo,he a r dt hec utt ha twe ntde e pe rt ha nt hepr ot e c t i vea r morofama s que r a de ."' Hi shonor r oot e di ndi s honor , ' "Da nes a i dabi tr oughl y. He rf i nge r ss t i l l e dove rt hede ve l opi ngs ke t c h,a ndJ e nni f e rt ur ne dhe rhe a dt ol ooka thi m." Te nnys on . " Da neha l fl a ughe d,t houghi twa s n' tas oundofa mus e me nt ." Ye s .I fIr e me mbe r ,t hene xtl i nei s ,' And f a i t hunf a i t hf ulke pthi mf a l s e l yt r ue . ' Pa r a dox. " " I st ha twha tyoua r e ? "s hea s ke dc ur i o us l y." Apa r a dox? " " I ' maga mbl e r , "hes a i di naf l a tvoi c e .

Af t e ramome nt ,J e nni f e rwe ntba c kt ohe rs ke t c hi ng.Shewa sdi s t ur be d.Notbywha theha ds a i d,butby t hewa yheha dl ooke dwhe nhes a i di t .Gr i m.Shegott hef e e l i n gs ome howt ha thedi dn' tl i kel a be l i nghi ms e l fa ga mbl e r . Whe ns hef i ni s he ds ke t c hi ngt hehous eal i t t l el a t e r ,i tha dt a ke nas he e tofpa pe rf ore a c hf l oor ,a ndJ e nni f e rha nde dhi mt het hr e es he e t s ." The r e ' sac e l l a r .I ' vema r ke dt hes t a i r s ,buti t ' sc l ut t e r e dwa l lt owa l lwi t ht wo hundr e dye a r sofs t or a ge .Thea t t i c ' st hes a mewa y,f i l l e dwi t ht r unksa ndboxe s . " Da newa ss t udyi ngt hef l oorpl a nsi nt e nt l y." We l ls a vet hos ef orl a s t ,t he n.Tha nkyou,J e nny.Thi s ' l lbea gr e a the l p. " Shenodde d." Whe ns houl dIc onf r ontKe l l y?You' l lne e dt i met or e pl a c et hepl a t e . " " He ' si nvi t e ds e ve r a lot he rme na ndmys e l ft odi nne rt oni ghtbe f or et hega me ;we ' l lbet he r ebys i xf or dr i nks .I fyouc oul dc omea r ounds i xt hi r t y,t ha ts houl dgi vemee nought i me . " J e nni f e r ' ss l i ght l ypuz z l e df r ownc l e a r e d." Oh,Is e e .You' l ls l i poutwhi l eI ' mt he r ea ndputt hepl a t ei n t hegua r d' sr oom. " " Ri ght , "Da nes a i d,t houghhekne wt ha tSkyewoul dmos tl i ke l ydot hea c t ua ls kul ki ng. Shenodde da ndgott ohe rf e e t ,l ooki nga thi mabi twa r i l ya shet oor os e ." Al lr i ght ,t he n.Wi l lyou–i s t he r es omewa yyouc a nl e tmeknowwha tKe l l y' sr e a c t i oni s ?La t e r ,Ime a n? " " Ofc o ur s e .I nf a c t ,whydon' tyoume e tmeont hegr oundsbe f or eyoul e a ve . " " Butwon' tKe l l ynot i c eyou' r emi s s i ng ? " " NotI fyour a t t l ehi me nough.Be s i de s ,i fhea s ks .I ' l lt e l lhi mIwe ntouti nt ot hega r de nf ors omea i r . " " Al lr i ght .Whe r es houl dweme e t ? " " Youknowt hepl a c ebe t t e rt ha nIdo.You' l lha vet omoveyourc a ra si fyou' vel e f t .Anypl a c ebe t we e n t hehous ea ndt her oa dwhe r ewea r e n' tl i ke l yt obes e e n. " J e nni f e rt houghtbr i e f l y." Asyous t a r tdownt hel a net owa r dt her oa d,t he r e ' sa nol d,r ut t e dt r a c kt ha t l e a dsof ft ot hel e f t .I twi ndsupt ot hema i nr o a d.Ic a npul lt hec a rof ft he r e ,a ndme e tyouj us ti ns i det hewoods . You' l lbea bo utahundr e dya r dsf r omt hehous e . " " Goode nough. "Hewa l ke dwi t hhe rt ot hedoor ,a ndope ne di tf orhe r ." We ' l lge tKe l l y, "het ol dhe r . Shel o oke da thi m,ha l fpuz z l e da ndqui t eunc e r t a i n,t he ns hr ugge da l mos the l pl e s s l ya ndl e f t .Da ne c l os e dt hedoorbe hi ndhe ra nds l owl yr e t ur ne dt ot hes i t t i ngr oom. " Af r i e ndi nTr e a s ur y? "Skyea s ke di napa i ne dt one . " We l l ,I ' mboundt oha vea tl e a s tone , "Da net ol dhi m. " Andwha twa st ha ta boutpr omi s i ngt oge the rpl a nt a t i onba c kf orhe r ?Da ne ,a r eyououtofyourmi nd? " " Pr oba bl y.Don' tr ubi ti n. " Skyeha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ." Gr e a t . " " The r eha st obeawa yt odoi t , "Da nes a i d. " Andyoudi dpr omi s e , "Skyemur mur e d." Iha t ei twhe nyoudot ha t .Ia l wa yse ndupge t t i ngs hota t . " " Ve r yf unny. " " I t ' st r ue .You' r ehi de bounda boutpr omi s e s ;onc eyouma ket he m,youha vet hi sunc omf or t a bl eha bi tof doi ngwha t e v e ri sne c e s s a r yt oke e pt he m. " " Oh,s hutup.Iha vea ni de a . " " Iwa sa f r a i doft ha t . " *** J e nni f e rha dar e s t l e s sa f t e r noon.Wi t hs e ve r a lhour st oki l lbe f or ehe rvi s i tt oGa r r e t tKe l l y.s her e t ur ne d t ot hehous es hes ha r e dwi t hhe rmot he ra ndwe ntba c kt owor k.Ort r i e dt o.Shec oul dn' ts e e mt oke e phe rmi nd of fDa nePr e s c ot t . Shewa sI nt ui t i ve ,at r a i ts t r e ngt he ne dbyhe ra r t i s t i cwor k.ye ts heha dne ve rf e l ts uc haj umbl eofpuz z l i ng,c onf l i c t i ngi mpr e s s i onso fape r s on.Eve na tt ha tf i r s tme e t i ngl a s tni ght ,a ni nt e r l udes heha dc a r e f ul l y bl oc ke doutofhe rmi ndwhi l ewi t hhi mt oda y,Da neha dba f f l e dhe r .St a r t l i ngl yha nds ome ,wi t hahe a r t br e a ki ng s mi l ea ndt hemos tal i v ee ye ss he ' de ve rs e e n,heha dbe e ns moot hl yc ha r mi ng,humor ous ,a ndr e ma r ka bl y of f ha nda bouthe rt he f toft hebr a c e l e ta ndhi sownl a r c e nousa c t i vi t i e s .Heha dhe l da ndki s s e dhe r ,obvi ous l ya s apl oyt of oolt hepe r s onope ni ngt hes t udydoor ;ye thi sa c t i on,be guni na na l mos tc omi c a l l ypol i t ema nne r ,ha d c ha nge di nt hos ef e ws e c ondst os ome t hi ngagr e a tde a lmor epe r s ona l . Tha tha dbe e nl a s tni ght .Toda yt he r eha dbe e nas ubt l edi f f e r e nc ei nhi m.J e nni f e rf oundi tha r dt opi n down,e xc e ptt of e e lc e r t a i nt ha ts heha ds e e nmor eofhi m,a si fs omepr ot e c t i vel a ye rofhi ms e l fha dbe e n di s c a r de d.Heha dbe e nmor es e r i ous ,e ve ngr a vea tt i me s ,t r e a t i nghe ra sa ni nt e l l i ge ntwoma nr a t he rt ha nt a ki ng a dva nt a geofhe rbe wi l de r me nta sheha dl a s tni ght .Heha dbe e nobvi ous l ydi s t ur be dt ha ts hea ndhe rmot he r ha dbe e nbl a me df ort her i f l e ds a f e ,a ndqui c kt os ugge s tawa yofr e pa i r i ngt ha tda ma ge . Anda f t e rhe rdi ga thi shonor ,J e nni f e rha ds e e na swe l la ss e ns e dar e a c t i ons heha dn' te xpe c t e df r om hi m.Heha df e l tt ha tc ut ,a ndf e l ti tde e pl y.Hi squot ef r omTe nnys onha dhe l dbi t t e r ne s s ,a ndwhe ns hel ooke d a thi m,t hel i ghtbe hi ndhi se ye swa sa bs e ntf ort hef i r s tt i me . Apr of e s s i ona lga mbl e r ,at hi e f–a ndhonor a bl e ?I ts e e me di mpos s i bl e ,a ndye t. . .Woul dama nwi t hno honorgi veas we e tda mni fhewe r ea c c us e dofha vi ngnone ?J e nni f e rdi dn' tt hi nks o.Butama nwhowa shi ghl y c ons c i ousofhi spe r s ona li nt e gr i t ya ndwho,p e r ha ps ,l i ve dal i f et ha ta l lt ooof t e nt e s t e dt ha ti nt e gr i t ymi ghtwe l l bes e ns i t i vea bouta c c us a t i ons . J e nni f e rha dbe e nr a i s e dbys uc hama n.Ruf usCha nt r yha dbe e n,i nma nywa ys ,ama noutofhi st i me . Hi si ns t i nc t sha dha r ke dba c kt ot heda yswhe nge nt l e manwa smor et ha nawor d;i twa sawa yofl i f e .Ye thi s i nc r e a s i nga ddi c t i ont oga mbl i ng,s t r onge re ve r yye a r ,ha df i r s tbe nta ndt he nf i na l l ybr oke nhi shonor .Tha twa s whyhes i gne dove rhi sf a mi l y' shomewi t houtpr ot e s t ,a ndwhyhema debot hhi swi f ea ndda ught e rpr omi s enot t ot r yt odi s t ur bt ha t" ge nt l e me n' sa gr e e me nt "i nope nc our t .

Heha ds t a ke dhi shomei nac a r dga me ;heha dl os ti t .Li keage nt l e ma n,hepa i dt hede bt .I tne ve roc c ur r e dt ohi mt ha tKe l l ymi ghth a vec he a t e dt owi n,a ndt hes t a i nhef e l tonhi shonorha dc ome ,notf r omha vi ng l os tt hepl a nt a t i on,butf r omha vi ngs t a ke di tI nt hef i r s tpl a c e . J e nni f e r ,ha vi ngbe e nr a i s e dbyama nwi t ht ha tol df a s hi one d,a l mos te xt i nc tki ndofI nt e gr i t y,wa sf a r mor es e ns i t i vea ndunde r s t a ndi ngofi tt ha nmos tmode mwome n.Ands hewa sa ppr e c i a t i veofi t .I tha dbe e nhe r f a t he r ' ss t r e ngt h,j us ta sga mbl i ngha dbe e nhi swe a kne s s . Ands hewa sbot he r e dnow,be c a us es hes e ns e dt ha ts a mer oc ks ol i dc or eofi nt e gr i t yi nDa ne .Whe t he r ornothewa sc ons c i ousofi t ,s hebe l i e ve di te xi s t e d.I tc oul dbes ome t hi nga sf oc us e da sape r s ona lc odeof honor ,as e tofr ul e sa ndl i mi t a t i onsde f i ne dbyhi mf orhi so wnr e a s onsa ndha vi ngl i t t l et odowi t hl a w or a c c e pt e dmor a l i t y.Ori tc oul dbes ome t hi ngbr oa de ra ndl oos e r ,as e tofl i ne shewoul dc r os sonl yr e l uc t a nt l y– a nd,a sheha ds a i d,i ft hes t a ke swe r ehi ghe nough. Wha tpr i c ehonor ,i nde e d. Unt i ls hedi s c ove r e dDa ne ' sa ns we rt ot ha tr i ddl e ,s hec oul dn' tt r us thi mf ul l y. " J e nni f e r !You' l ls t r a i nyoure ye s . "Fr a nc e s c ac a mei nt ot her ooma ndt ur ne dont hel a mpove rJ e nni f e r ' s dr a f t i ngt a bl e . Af t e raha s t ygl a nc ea the rwa t c h,J e nni f e rr e l a xe d.I twa sonl yal i t t l ea f t e rf i ve .Sheha df or got t e nt o ope nt hebl i ndsi nt her oom,a n ds i nc et hel a t ea f t e r noons unwa spa r t i a l l ybl oc ke dbyt het r e e sout s i dei tha d got t e ns t e a di l yda r ke rwi t houthe rnot i c i ng. " You' v edonenowor ks i nc eyouc a meba c k, "he rmot he rnot e d,c a s t i ngapr a c t i c e de yeove rt hes he e t s J e nni f e rha dp i nne dt ot het a bl e ." Wha tt r oubl e syou? " J e nni f e rhe s i t a t e d,r e mi ndi nghe r s e l fofhe rde c i s i onnott ot e l lhe rmot he ra boutt hea t t e mptt oge t e vi de nc ea ga i ns tKe l l y.I twa sbe s tnott or a i s ehe rhope s ,a ndbe s i de s ,Fr a nc e s c awa sa l lt ool i ke l yt oj umpi nt o t hes i t ua t i onhe r s e l fwi t hgl e e f ulr e c kl e s s ne s s .Buts heha dt os a ys ome t hi ng,s oJ e nni f e ra ga i npl a ye dt ohe r mot he r ' sma t e r na la ndf e mi ni nei ns t i n c t s . " Iwa sj us tt hi nki nga boutt ha tma n, "s hes a i dl i ght l y." TheoneIme tl a s tni ght . " Fr a nc e s c a ' sbr i ghtda r ke ye sbe c a mee ve nbr i ght e r .Sheha dbe e nt r yi ngt oge the rda ught e rma t c he dup wi t has ui t a bl ema ns i nc ehe rl a t et e e ns ,a ndha dr e f us e dt ogi veuphopede s pi t eJ e nni f e r ' si nde pe nde ntna t ur e . " Whoi she ,myba by?I sheha nds ome ?Ca nh et a kec a r eofyoupr ope r l y? " J e nni f e ra l mos tl a ughe d,butwonde r e dune a s i l yi fs hewa sc r e a t i ngamons t e rhe r e ." Mot he r ,Ij us tme t hi m–" " Hei sunma r r i e d,i shenot ? "Fr a nc e s c ade ma nde ds us pi c i ous l y,he ra c c e ntt hi c ke ni nga ss hebe c a me mor eI t a l i a n." Youwoul dnotbe c omet hel ove rofama r r i e dma n!Unl e s shewe r eve r yr i c h,ofc our s e , "s he a dde d. Longa c c us t ome dt ohe rmot he r ' ss l i ght l ynont r a di t i ona lvi e wsofma l e f e ma l er e l a t i ons hi ps ,J e nni f e rs a i d pa t i e nt l y," I ' m notgoi ngt obea nybody' sl o ve r ,r i c hornot .It ol dyou.Mot he r ,Iha r dl yknowt hema n.Al lI knowi st ha thedoe s n' twe a rawe ddi ngr i ng. " " Ah!Tha tme a nsnot hi ng;s omewi ve sa r es t upi dt oa l l ows uc hnons e ns e .Wemus tdi s c ove ri ft he r ei sa wi f e . " " Andt he npoi s onhe r ? "J e nni f e rmur mur e d. " Di vor c ei se a s i e r , "Fr a nc e s c as a i d,unmi ndf ulofi r ony. J e nni f e rl ooke da the ri na mus e me nt ." It houghtma r r i a gewa sf or e ve r ? "s hes a i d,c ur i oust os e ehowhe r mot he rwoul dr a t i ona l i z ehe rr a pi ddi s mi s s a lofa nI nc onve n i e ntwi f ewhe nhe rof t s t a t e dvi e w wa st ha ta we ddi ngr i ngne ve rc a meof f . Fr a nc e s c aga vehe ra ni nt e ntl ook." We l l ,ofc our s e ,myba by.Whe ni ti sr i ght .But ,obvi ous l y,t hi s woma ni nt e r f e r e swi t hyourde s t i ny.Shemus tbema det or e l e a s eyourma n.I twi l la l lbea r r a nge d–youwi l l s e e . " Fe e l i n gaki ndoff a s c i na t e dhor r orc r e e pove rhe r ,J e nni f e rha s t i l yc l os e dhe rmout ha ndt he ns a i dabi t de s pe r a t e l y," Idon' te ve nknowi ft he r et sawi f e !Andhei s n' tmyma n.Mot he r .Ij us tt hi nkhe ' s...i nt e r e s t i ng, t ha t ' sa l l . " " I nt e r e s t i ng?"Fr a nc e s c aga vet hewor df ourdi s t i nc ta nda ppa l l e ds yl l a bl e s ." Youwoul dus es uc hapa l e wor dt ode s c r i bet hi sma n?Hedoe snotc a us eyourbl oodt or u nhott hr oughyourbody?Yourhe a r tdoe snot pounda tt hes oundofhi svoi c e ?Youdonotme l twhe nhet ouc he syou? " J e nni f e rc l os e dhe rmout ha ga i na nds a i dr a t he rwe a kl y," We l l ,I ' veha r dl ybe e nwi t hhi ml onge nought o know. " Fr a nc e s c at hr e wuphe rha ndsi napur e l yLa t i nge s t ur eofdi s gus t ." Il os ea l lpa t i e nc ewi t ht he s emode r n me n!The r ei snotar e a lma nt obef ound.Nots i nc eyourf a t he r .Notoneknowshowt oma kel ovet oawoma n, howt of i l lhe rs e ns e swi t ht heve r ye s s e nc eofhi ms e l f ! " " Mot h e r. . . "Tor nbe t we e nl a ught e ra n da s t oni s hme nt ,J e nni f e rwa sa l s oc opi ngwi t ht hei nna t es hoc kof a na dul tda ug ht e rc onf r ont e dbyawhol ene wI ns i ghti nt ohe rpa r e nt s ' r e l a t i ons hi p. " Andyou! "Fr a nc e s c a ' se ye swe r es na ppi ng." Ic a nnotbe l i e veIha ver a i s e dyout obes ot a me ,s o–t i mi d. I nt e r e s t i ng!I st ha taf e e l i ngofpa s s i on,ofl ove ?No!I st ha taf e e l i ngofde s pe r a t i on?No! " " But ,Mot he r ,I–" " Youmus tf e e lt hi sf oryourma n!Hemus tf i l lyours e ns e s ,yourhe a r t ,a ndyours oul .Hemus tbee ve r yt hi ngf oryou,orhei snotf oryou. " " I ' ms o r r yIs t a r t e dt hi s , "J e nni f e rs a i dr a t he rbl a nkl y. He rmot he ri gnor e dt hes t a t e me nt .Sher e a c he douts udde nl y,he rni mbl ef i nge r spl uc ki ngt hee l a s t i cba nd f r om J e nni f e r ' sponyt a i ls ot ha the rha i rf e l ll oos e l ya r oundhe rf a c e ." Whydoyouwe a ryourl ove l yha i rt hi s wa y?Suc haf or bi ddi ngs t yl e !Andt hos ehor r i bl et r ous e r s–"

" J e a ns .Mot he r ,I ' mwor ki ng. " " Thi sma nmus ts e et hewoma nyoua r e ,myba by.Goa ndputonas ki r t :hemus ts e eyourl e gs . " J e nni f e rs uppr e s s e dawi l dde s i r et obl ur t .He ' ss e e nt he m,andt hi nk st he y ' r egr e at ." I ' m notgoi n gt o c ha s ea f t e rama nt os howhi mmyl e gs .Mot h e r . " Buthe rmot he rha da l r e a dynudge dhe routoft hec ha i ra ndwa sl e a di nghe rf i r ml yt owa r dhe rbe dr oom. " Youmus ts e ehi m,ofc our s e ,a ss oona spos s i bl e .Youmus tknowI fhei st heone .Di s c ove ri ft he r ei sawi f e , f ori ft he r ei swemus tr e moveh e ra tonc e .Unl e s shei snott heone .Shema yke e phi mi ft ha ti st hec a s e . " " Ge ne r ousofus , "J e nni f e rmur mur e d.Shewoul dha vec ont i nue dt opr ot e s the rmot he r ' sde t e r mi na t i on, buts heha ds e e nt ha ts t e e l ype r s i s t e nc et o oof t e ni nhe rl i f enott oknow t heus e l e s s ne s sofhol di ngba c k f l oodwa t e r swi t hapa pe rda m.Sos heobe di e nt l yc ha nge di nt oapr e t t i e rbl ous e–pa l ebl uewi t hade e pV ne c kl i ne–a ndas i l kypr i nts ki r t .Shef l a t l yr e f us e dt owe a rho s e ,c ompe l l e dbyas udde nme mor yoff i nge r son ga r t e r s ,a ndhe rmot he ra c c e pt e dt ha tc he e r f ul l y. Fi f t e e nmi nut e sl a t e r ,dr e s s e d,ha i rbr us he d,a ndf i l l e dwi t har ue f uls e ns eofgr e a t oa ks f r oml i t t l e a c or ns gr ow,J e nni f e rf oundhe r s e l fbe i nga l mos tl i t e r a l l ypus he doutt hef r ontdoor .Sheha dt ol e a vea nywa y, s i nc ei twa st i mef orhe rc onf r ont a t i onwi t hGa r r e t tKe l l y,buts hepa us e damome ntt odi r e c tas t e r nc omma nda t he rmot he r . " Don' ts e ndoutwe ddi ngi nvi t a t i ons ,da mmi t ! " Unpe r t ur be d,Fr a nc e s c as mi l e dwi de l ya nds a i d," Ofc our s enot ,myba by.Wemus tf i r s tdi s c ove ri fhei s t her i ghtma nf oryou. " J e nni f e rs i ghe d." I ' l lpr oba bl ybeba c ki na nhourors o. " " Tha ti snote nought i me , "he rmot he rs a i dc r i t i c a l l y. Wa nt i ngt or e pl yt ot ha t ,butf i ndi ngnowor dst odoj us t i c et ohe rt hought s .J e nni f e rs hookhe rhe a da nd we ntoutt ohe rs ma l lc a r .Shehe a de dt owa r dBe l l eRe t our ,t r yi ngt owor kupagoodhe a dofs t e a mf orKe l l y' s s a ke ,butha vi ngadi f f i c ul tt i me . He rmot he r .I ft he r ewa sa not he rwoma ni nt hewor l dl i keFr a nc e s c a ,J e nni f e rt hought ,i twoul dbea mi r a c l e .He rwor dsmi ghtnotha vebe e npe a r l sofwi s dom,butt he ywe r ee c c e nt r i ce nought obema r ke d i nde l i bl yont heme mor yofa nyonewhohe a r dt he m.Ge ne r a l l yl e a ni ngt owa r dt het r a di t i ona lvi e wt ha tma r r i a ge , be t we e nt her i ghtpe opl e ,ofc our s e ,wa sf or e ve r ,s hewa ss t i l lpe r f e c t l yc a pa bl eofs e e i nghe rbe l ove dda ught e r a st hemi s t r e s sofawe a l t hyma n.Shewa sf i r ml yc onvi nc e dt ha tnowoma nwa sc ompl e t ewi t houtt hea dor i ng a t t e nt i onofama n,whe t he ri noroutofwe dl oc k. J e nni f e rc oul dha vea r gue dt ha tpoi nt ,ha vi ngc omeofa gei nawor l dc ons i de r a bl ydi f f e r e ntf r omt ha tof he rmot he r ' sge ne r a t i on,a ndbe i ngve r yAme r i c a ni nhe ra t t i t ude s .Sheha dma denoa t t e mptt oa i rhe rownvi e ws be c a us eofhe rl ovef orFr a nc e s c a–a ndt her ue f ulknowl e dget h a the rmot he rwoul dne ve ra c c e ptt he m,pe r ha ps note ve nunde r s t a nd. J e nni f e rpus he dt hel a s toft hos et hought soutofhe rmi nda ss het ur ne dt hec a ri nt ot heoa ks ha dowe d l a nel e a di ngt oBe l l eRe t our .An gr y.Shewa ss uppos e dt obea ngr y.Shef i l l e dhe rmi ndwi t ht hought sofwha t Ke l l yha ddon et ohe rf a t he r ,t oh e rmot he ra ndhe r s e l f .Ands hegota ngr y. Shegotf ur i ous . I nf a c t ,i nhe rz e a lt opl a yt her ol ea s s i gne dhe r ,J e nni f e rqui t eunc ons c i ous l ya ba ndone dt her e s t r a i nt s pl a c e donhe rs i nc ec hi l dhoodi nava r i e t yofe xpe ns i vepr i va t es c hool s .Thos es c hool sha dI mpos e dt he i rve r y de f i ni t ei de a sofwha tal a dys ho ul dbe ,a ndJ e nni f e rha da c c e pt e dt he mpa r t l ybe c a us et hedi s c i pl i nene e de df or c ont r olha dI nt e r e s t e dhe r .Sheha da l s oc ul t i va t e dac a l ms ur f a c ebe c a us et heme mor i e sofc hi l dhoodt e mpe r t a nt r umsha dc onvi nc e dhe rs hene e de dt ha tc ont r ol . Now,i naf ur y,s hes t oppe dhe rc a rbe f or et hehous ea nds t or me dupt ot hef r ontdoor ,i gnor i ngt hebe l l be c a us et hebr a s sknoc ke rma deamor es a t i s f yi ngnoi s e .Whe nt hedoors wungope n,s hepus he dpa s tt hes ur pr i s e dbut l e rwhoha ds ne a ke dc a ndyt ohe ra sac hi l d,de ma ndi ngl oudl y," Whe r ei she ? " " Mi s sJ e nni f e r ,yous houl dn' t–" " Iwa ntt os e ehi m,Ma t he ws !Whe r ei she ? " " I nt hepa r l or ,Mi s sJ e nni f e r ,but–" Shedi dn' twa i tt obea nnounc e d.Be f or eMa t he wsc oul ds t ophe r ,s hewe ntdi r e c t l yt ot hec l os e dpa r l or door sa nds hove dt he mope n,gl a r i nga r oundt her oom. I twa s n' tar oom wor t hyofagl a r e ,s i nc ei twa sbe a ut i f ula nds pa c i ou s ;butt ha tdi dn' tpl a c a t eJ e nni f e r be c a us ehe rownmot he rha dde c or a t e di t .Shes a wme ns t a ndi nga nds i t t i ng,t he i rhe a dst ur ne dt owa r dt hedoor a ndt he i re ye ss t a r t l e d.The r ewe r es i xore i ghtme npr e s e nt ,s omedr e s s e dmor ec a s ua l l yt ha not he r s .Va r i ous a ge s ,f r omt hee a r l yt hi r t i e st ot hemi ds i xt i e s .Al lhe l ddr i nksi nt he i rha nds ,a nds hekne wmos toft he mi fonl y byna me . Da newa ss t a ndi ngbyt hef i r e pl a c ewi t ht woot he rme n,dr e s s e di nat hr e e pi e c ewhi t es ui tt ha tma dehi m l ookpe c ul i a r l yde vi l i s h.Hi sbr owswe r er a i s e di na ne xpr e s s i onofpol i t es ur pr i s e ,buthi se ye swe r el a ughi ng. J e nni f e r ' sgl a r edi dn' tpa us eonhi m,buts we ptt her oom a nds e t t l e dona not he rma n." Iwa ntt ot a l kt o you! "s hes na ppe d. Ga r r e t tKe l l ywa saf a i rma ni nhi sf i f t i e s ,wi t ht hepr of i l eofaha wka ndoddl yc ol or l e s se ye s .Heha d e i t he rbe e nbor nage nt l e ma nore l s ec ul t i va t e dt ha tf a c a de ;J e nni f e rha dl onga goma deuphe rmi ndi twa st he l a t t e r .Hee nj oye dpa r t i e sa ndt hec ompa nyo fot he rme nwi t hal i ket a s t ei nga mbl i ng,a nda sf a ra sa nyonei n t he s epa r t sc oul dt e l l ,hi spa s twa sobs c ur e . " Iha vegue s t s .Mi s sCha nt r y, "hes a i dnowi nhi se ve n,t one l e s s ," c ompa ny"voi c e . " Oh,Idon' tmi ndt he m he a r i ngwha tIha vet os a y, "J e nni f e rt ol dhi m wi t hbi t i ngpol i t e ne s s ." Butyou mi ght . " Af t e ramome nt ,Ke l l ygl a nc e da r ou nda thi sgue s t sa ndmur mur e d," Exc us eme ,ge nt l e me n. "The y

nodde da ndma dec our t e ousmur mur s ,we a r i ngt hes t i f fe xpr e s s i onsofpe opl ewhowe r ei nt e ns e l yc ur i ousa nd t r yi ngt ohi dei t . J e nni f e rt ur ne da nds t r odeba c kouti nt ot heha l l ,wa i t i ngi mpa t i e nt l ywhi l eKe l l yc a meouta ndc l os e dt he door sbe hi ndt he m." Mys t udy, "hemur mur e d . " Yours t udy, "s hes a i dbi t t e r l y. " I ti smi ne ,l i kei tornot , "het ol dhe r ,l e a di ngt hewa yt oas e c onda r yha l l wa yont heot he rs i deoft he hous ef r omt h epa r l or .Heope ne dt hedooroft hes t udya ndge s t ur e df orhe rt oe nt e r ,hi swe l l ke ptha ndsma ki ng amoc ke r yoft hec our t e s y. Shes we ptpa s thi m,he a dhi gh,ha vi n gnoi de aofwha t ,e xa c t l y,s hewa sgoi ngt os a yt ohi m,a ndt oo f ur i oust oc a r e .Andbe f or ehec oul de ve nge tt hedoorc l os e dbe hi ndt he m,s hes wunga r ound,ma ki ngnoe f f or t t ol owe rhe rvoi c e . " J us twha tt hehe l ldoyoume a nbya c c us i ngmymot he rofany t hi ng?"s hede ma nde dvi ol e nt l y. *** I naqui e t e rs e c t i onoft hehous e ,t hea r e ar e s e r ve df ors t or a gea nds e r va nt s ,Skyemove ds i l e nt l y.I tha d be e nas i mpl ema t t e rt of i ndas i dewi ndowwi t har us t yl a t c h,a ndnooneha dobs e r ve dhi ss t e a l t hypr ogr e s s . J e nni f e r ' ss ke t c hha dbe e nc l e a re nough,a ndt hi sa r e aoft hehous eha ds howe dt hee xa c tl oc a t i onofr oomsa nd s ma l ls ui t e ss e ta s i def ors t a f f . Andt hes e c ur i t ys t a f f .The r ewe r ec ur r e nt l yt wof ul l t i mes e c ur i t yme nont hegr ounds ,af a c tSkyekne w whe t he rJ e nn i f e rwa sa wa r eofi tornot .He rf a mi l yha dwor r i e dl i t t l ea bouts e c ur i t yf ort hehous ei t s e l fe xc e pt dur i ngs oc i a loc c a s i ons .Ke l l y,amor epa r a noi da ndc yni c a lma nt ha nhi spr e de c e s s or ,ke pthi st wopl a i nc l ot he s gua r dsi norc l os ea r oundt hehous ea ta l lt i me s ,a ndhi r e dpa r t t i mehe l pdur i nghi sf r e que ntpa r t i e s . Skyeha dnot e dt hef a c tt ha toneoft hegua r dss e e me da s s i gne dt opa t r olt heuppe rf l oor s ;t hes e c ond gua r d,Br a dySe t on,a ppe a r e dt or oa mwi t hmor ef r e e dom,a ndi twa shi sr oomSkyewa si ns e a r c hof .Hemove d wi t hnos ound,hi sr ubbe r s ol e ds hoe sa ss oundl e s sonpol i s he dwoode nf l oor sa st he ywe r eonc a r pe t ;f orabi g ma n,hemove dl i keac a t . Heha dbr i e f l ye nt e r e da nddi s c ount e ds e ve r a lr oomsi nt heba r ef i vemi nut e ss i nc eheha dc omei n t hr oughawi ndow:t hebut l e r ' ss ui t e ,t hes ui t eoc c upi e dbyahous e ke e pe ra ndc ha uf f e ur–ama r r i e dc oupl e–a nd s e ve r a la ppa r e nt l yunus e dr ooms .Hef i na l l yl oc a t e das ma l ls ui t ewi t ht wobe dr oomst ha ts e e me dt obet he c or r e c tone s .Thef i r s tbe dr oomhec he c ke dhe l danumbe rofa r t i c l e sbe l ongi ngt oama n,a ndSkyedi s c ount e di t whe nhef oundawa l l e twi t hc r e di tc a r dsi nadr a we r :t hi sr oombe l onge dt ot heot he rs e c ur i t yma n. I nBr a dySe t on' sr oom,Skyes e a r c he dqui c kl ya ndt hor oughl youtofha bi t ,t he ndr e wt hec ount e r f e i tpl a t e f r omi t shi di n gpl a c ei ns i dehi sbl a c kl e a t he rj a c ke ta nd,a f t e ramome nt ' sde l i be r a t i on,pl a c e di tont het ops he l f oft hec l os e ta tt heve r yba c ka ga i ns tt hewa l l .Hec a s tapr of e s s i ona lgl a nc eove rt hes e e mi ngl yundi s t ur be d r oom,t he nt ur ne dt ol e a ve . Thema i ndoort ot hes i t t i ngr oomope ne dwi t has of tc l i c k. I nf l ui dmove me nt ,Skyewa sa ga i ns tt hewa l lbe s i det hedoor ,as i l e nc e da ut oma t i che l di nhi sr i ghtha nd. Hel i s t e ne di nt e nt l ya sf oot s t e psmove dt hr ought hes i t t i ngr oom,butdi dn' tmovehi ms e l funt i lBr a dySe t on wa l ke di nt ot hebe dr oom. " He l l o. " Se t ont ur ne dqui c kl y,aha ndr e a c hi ngt owa r dhi sl a pe la si ft odr a wt hegunne s t l e dunde rhi sa r m.Buthe f r oz e ,t hemove me ntha l fc ompl e t e d. " Rot t e nt i mi ng, "Skyet ol dhi ms of t l y. Se t onwa sa ne xma r i ne ,ha dgr ownupr ough,a ndkne wava r i e t yofs e l f de f e ns et a c t i c s .Heha da l s o l e a r ne d,s ome whe r ea l ongt hewa y,a twhi c hmome nti nada nge r ouss i t ua t i oni twa swi s e s tt os i mpl ygi vei na nd t hi nka boutl i vi nga not he rda y.Thi swa st ha tmome nt . Thema nhef a c e dwa ss mi l i ng,butSe t ont r us t e dt ha ts mi l et hewa yhewoul dha vet r us t e dt hepol i s he d mol a r sofas ha r k.Hi sf i r s ti mpr e s s i onofabi gma ndr e s s e da l li nbl a c kwi t habus i ne s s l i ke–a nds i l e nc e d– a ut oma t i cha dbe e npe r f e c t l ya c c ur a t e ,a ndha dhi si mpr e s s i ons t oppe dt he r ehemi ghtwe l lha vea t t e mpt e da de f e ns i vemove .Da nge r ousme nhewa sa c c us t ome dt of a c i ng. Butt hee ye ss t oppe dhi mc ol d.The ywe r e n' tpa r t i c ul a r l yme na c i nge ye s ,notc ol dorha r d;t he ywe r e n' t t hee mpt y,f l a t bl a c ke ye sofas oul l e s ski l l e r ,ort hema de ye sofama nbe yondt hel i mi t sofr e a s on.I nf a c t ,t he y we r eve r ya l i vea ndi nt e l l i ge nte ye s .Butt he ywe r e...r e c kl e s s .Ca r e l e s s .The ywe r ea l mos ta ni mpude nti nvi t a t i onf orSe t ont ot r ys ome t hi ng. Tr ys o me t hi ng.Goahe ad.Andwe ' l lbot hhav eal i t t l ef un. Br a dySe t ondi dn' tmoveamus c l e .Heha ds e e ne ye sl i ket ha tbe f or e ,i nt hef a c e sofi nc r e di bl y c our a ge ousa ndl uc kyme n.Me nwhoha dl e dot he rs ol di e r si nt oba t t l e ,me nwhoha dbr a ve dbur ni ngbui l di ngs t or e s c uet r a p pe doc c upa nt s .Me nwhom f a t es e e me dt oha vet ouc he dwi t haki ndofa ur a ,l i kei mpe ne t r a bl e a r mor . " Le t ' sha vet hegun.Ca r e f ul l y. " Wi t he xt r e mea ndut t e rc a ut i on.Se t onha nde di tove r . Skyes t uc kt heguni ns i dehi sbe l t ,t he ns i ghe dal i t t l er ue f ul l y." Youha vebot c he dt hepl a n,f r i e nd.Wha t a mIgoi ngt odowi t hyounow? " Se t ondi dn' tve nt ur eas ugge s t i on. Af t e ramome nt ,Skyes a i d," We l l .Noc hoi c e ,I ' ma f r a i d.Pa c kaba g–a ndyou' r ei nahur r y,s odon' t bot he rt obene a ta bouti t . " Se t onpa c ke daba g. *** Fort heme nwhor e ma i ne di nt hepa r l ora f t e rGa r r e t tKe l l yl e f t ,t hene xtqua r t e rofa nhourwa ss ome wha t

unc omf or t a bl e .The ywe r ea l lt ooc ur i oust oc ompl e t e l yI gnor ewha twa sgoi ngon,e s pe c i a l l ys i nc et he yc oul d he a rt hef a i nte c hoe sofJ e nni f e rCha nt r y' svoi c ee ve nt hr oughc l os e ddoor sa nds t ur dywa l l s .The i rownc onve r s a t i onsdr i e dupa f t e raf e wmur mur e da t t e mpt s ,a ndt he ywe r el e f tc ont e mpl a t i ngt he i rdr i nksa nde a c hot he r . " Tha tone ' sas hr e w, "onema nf i na l l yobs e r ve d. " She ' sgotr e a s on, "a not he rs a i d,a ndgr i nne df a i nt l y." Yououghtt ohe a rhe rmot he r . " " Whoi ss he ? "a s ke doneoft hef e wI nt her oomwhoha dnoknowl e dgeoft hepa s te ve nt s . " Shegr e wuphe r ea tBe l l eRe t our , "t hef i r s tma nt ol dhi m." He rf a mi l yowne dt hi spl a c ef ort wohundr e d ye a r s ,unt i lGa r r e t twoni tf r omh e rf a t he ri napoke rga me . " " He l l ,t hes t a ke sbe t t e rnotbet ha thi ghi nt oni ght ' sga me . " Ve r yc ons c i ousoft heve r ba lba t t l egoi ngons e ve r a lr oomsa wa y,a ndt hepr e s ume da c t i vi t i e si na not he r pa r toft heho us e ,Da nes a i d," Thewor dIgo twa st ha tGa r r e t t ' sbe e nonal os i ngs t r e a k.Hema yha vet os t a ke t hi spl a c et r yi ngt or e c ouphi sl o s s e s . " " I ' dr a t he rpl a yf orc a s h, "onema ns a i dpl a i nt i ve l y. Anol de rma ns hookhi she a ddi s a ppr ovi ngl ya tDa ne ' sc omme nt ." Yous houl dne ve rs t a kee ve r yt hi ng unl e s st ha t ' swha tyou' r epr e pa r e dt ol os e , "hes a i d. Da nes mi l e ds l owl y." I s n' tt ha tt het r ut h? " Thec onve r s a t i ondi e da wa ya tt ha tpoi nt ,butwhe nGa r r e t tKe l l yr e e nt e r e dt her oomf i vemi nut e sl a t e r , hedi dn' ts e e mt onot i c e .The yh a da l lhe a r dt hes l a moft hef r ontdoora ndac a rr oa r i nga wa ymi nut e sbe f or e ;he s a i dnot hi nga boutt ha t .Hewa spe r c e pt i bl ydi s t r a c t e d,f r owni ngabi t .Buthi svoi c er e ma i ne dc a l ma nde ve n whe nhea ddr e s s e dhi sgue s t s . " Di nne rwi l lbes e r ve di na nhour ,ge n t l e me n.Pl e a s ema keyour s e l ve sa thome .Iha veaf e wc a l l st ot a ke c a r eof ,a ndt he nI ' l lr e j oi nyou. " The r ewe r emor epol i t emur mur s ,f ol l o wi nghi mba c koutt hedoor . Da nes e thi sunt ouc he ddr i nka s i dea nds a i d," It hi nkI ' l lwa l ki nt hega r de nbe f or edi nne r . "Hedi dn' twa i t f ora nyonet oof f e rt oj oi nhi m,b utwe ntoutt hr oughas e tofFr e nc hdoor sl e a di ngont ot heve r a nda .

Four Da nemove dl a z i l yunt i lt heove r gr ownga r de nhi dhi mc ompl e t e l yf r om a nyonei nt hepa r l or ,t he n qui c ke ne dhi spa c e .I twa sas i mpl ema t t e rt oc utt hr ought hega r de nt owa r dt hef r ontoft hehous e ,a ndhewa s e a s i l ya bl et oke e poutofs i ghti nt hewi l de r ne s sofunt e nde dpl a nt sa ndt r e e swhi l ehec i r c l e da r ounda ndhe a de d f ort hepa t c hofwoodst ot hel e f toft hel a newhe r eJ e nni f e rha da gr e e dt ome e thi m. Ands hewa swa i t i ngf orhi m,he rs ma l lc a rpa r ke dj us ti ns i det hewoodsonar ut t e dt r a c k.Shewa s n' t s i t t i ngi nt hec a r ;s hewa spa c i ngvi ol e nt l ybe s i dei t . Da nea ppr oa c he dhe rj us tabi twa r i l y,i nt r i gue dbyt hes he e rune xpe c t e dne s sofhe rt e mpe r .Gr a nt e d,s he ha ds a i dt ha the rt e mpe rwa saf or c eofna t ur e ,buthe rc oolbl ondl ove l i ne s sa nds e r e negr a c eha dpa i nt e da r a t he rdi f f e r e nt–a ndde c e pt i ve–pi c t ur e . " Ar eyouma r r i e d? "s hei nqui r e df i e r c e l yt hei ns t a nts hec a ughts i ghtofhi m. Hebl i nke d,s t oppi ngbyt hec a r ." No, I ' mnot . " " Mymot he rwa nt e dmet oa s k. "J e nni f e rwa ss t i l lpa c i ng,obvi ous l ys oa ngr ys hewa sha r dl ypa yi nga t t e nt i ont owha ts hewa ss a yi ng." I ' mgl a dyou ' r enot .Mot he rpr oba bl ywoul dha vepoi s one dyourwi f e . " Da nel e a ne dba c ka ga i ns the rc a ra ndf ol de dhi sa r ms ,pa t i e nt l ywa i t i ngf ort hes t or mt os ubs i dee ve n whi l et hor oughl ye nj oyi ngt hes p e c t a c l e ." Whywoul ds heha vedonet ha t ? "hea s ke d. " Toge the routoft hewa y,ofc our s e .Shes a i ddi vor c ewoul dbee a s i e r ,butIknowmymot he r .Poi s oni n t het e a ,ors ome t hi ng.TheBor gi a swe r eI t a l i a n,youknow. " " Ye s ,Ir e me mbe rt ha t . "Da newa sha vi ngadi f f i c ul tt i mehol di ngba c kl a ught e r ,buta tt hes a met i mehe wa sf a s c i na t e dbywha tJ e nni f e rs e e me dt obet e l l i nghi m. " The nbe wa r e , "s hes a i dda r kl y,s t i l lpa c i ng." Asf a ra sIknow,Mot he ri s n' tr e l a t e dt ot he m,butyouj us t c a n' tbes ur ea boutt he s et hi ngs .Ic a n' tc ont r olhe r .We ' l lbel uc kyi fs heha s n' ta l r e a dyor de r e dwe ddi ng i nvi t a t i ons . " " Whos ewe ddi ngi I ss hepl a nni ng? "Da nea s ke d. " Our s , "J e nni f e rs na r l e d." Da mn.Andj us tbe c a us eIha dt os a ys ome t hi ngwhe nIha dn' tgot t e na nywor k done .Howwa sIt oknows he ' dgoa l lma t e r na la ndI t al i anonmej us tbe c a us eIs a i dIwa st hi nki nga boutama n I ' dme t ?Ic oul dn' tha veknowns he ' ddot ha t ,c oul dI ? " " De f i ni t e l ynot , "Da nes a i ds ol e mnl y. " Shedoe s n' te ve nk nowyou,a nds he ' spr oba bl yt hi nki ngupna me sf orba bi e s .I ' vene ve rhe a r ds uc h– De s pe r a t i on,s hes a i d.Pa s s i on.Re a lme n,s hes a i d,a nde s s e nc e s . "J e nni f e rs t oppe dpa c i ngs udde nl y,a ne xpr e s s i onofunc e r t a i nt ypa s s i ngove rhe rf a c e ." Es s e nc e s ? "s her e pe a t e d,a si ft hewor ds ounde dodd. " Soundsf i net ome , "heof f e r e dhe l pf ul l y. J e nni f e rs t a r e da thi mf oramome nt ,a ndt hedoubtva ni s he dt ober e pl a c e dbyar e t ur nofhe rgl a r e ." Wha t pr i c ehonor ? "s hede ma nde di nt e ns e l y. Tha to nea ppe a r e dt oc omes t r a i ghtoutofl e f tf i e l d,a ndDa nec ope dwi t hi ti ns omebe wi l de r me nt . " Hypot he t i c a l l y? " " No,n othypot he t i c a l l y!You.Yourhonor .Howc a nIt r us tyoui fIdon' tknowt ha t ? " I twa s ,Da ner e a l i z e d,as e r i ousque s t i onde s pi t et hea ppa r e ntme nt a lc ont or t i onst ha tha dbr oughthe rt o i t .Be f or ehec oul df r a mea na ns we r ,s hewa sgoi ngonf i e r c e l y. " Woul dyous e l lyourhonori ft hes t a ke swe r ehi ghe nough?Howhi ghi shi ghe nough?Ori syouri nt e gr i t yt ooi mpor t a ntt oyou?Ar et he r epr i c e syo ua r e n' twi l l i ngt opa y,noma t t e rwha ti tc os t syou?Ordoyoube t

yourhone s t yt hewa yyoube tmone y? " " No. "Heha dn' tme a ntt hea ns we rt oc omes oha r s hl y,a ndpa us e damome ntbe f or ehec ont i nue d,l ooki ng s e r i ous l yi nt ohe rs t a r t l e de ye s ." No,I ' vene ve rga mbl e dmyhon or–i nt e gr i t y,s e l f r e s pe c t ,wha t e ve ryouwa ntt o c a l li t .Tha tp r i c eha sa l wa ysbe e nt oohi ght opa y.Wi nni ngwa sne ve rs oi mpor t a ntt ha tIha dt obe te ve r yt hi ng. Los i ngwa sne ve rs oi mpor t a ntt ha tIha dt obe te ve r yt hi ng. "Hedr e wabr e a t h." ButI ' maga mbl e r ,J e nny.And e ve r yga mbl e rknowst ha ts oone rorl a t e rhe ' l lha vet opa y–wha t e ve rt hec os t .Eve ni ft hepr i c ei se ve r yt hi ng. Eve ni fhes t a ke dhi shonor . " J e nni f e rs t a r e da thi mf oral ongmome nt ,t he nt ur ne dj e r ki l ya wa y.Shewa smor es ha ke nt ha ns hec oul d r e me mbe re ve rha vi ngbe e nbe f or e .Ha dt ha tbe e ns he ,t ha tr a mbl i ng,f i e r c ewoma n?God,wha ts heha dt ol d hi m!" I ' ms or r y, "s hema na ge d." Idon' tknowwha t ' swr ongwi t hme . " Da nekne w.Thes t or mha dpa s s e d,l e a vi nghe ras hi pwr e c ke ds ur vi vorofhe rownt e mpe s t ,a ndr e a c t i on wa ss e t t i ngi n.Hes t r a i ght e ne da wa yf r omt hec a ra ndwe ntt ohe r ,butdi dn' tt r yt oma kehe rf a c ehi m.I ns t e a d, her e s t e dhi sha ndsge nt l yonhe rs houl de r s . " Whys houl dyoubes or r y? "hea s ke d. St i f f l y ,s hes a i d," Look,j us tf or ge te ve r yt hi ngI ' ves a i d,a l lr i ght ?Iwa s n' tt hi nki ng,a nd–" " No,d on' tdot ha t , "hei nt e r r upt e d. " Wha t ? " " Sl i pba c ki nt oyourgl os s ys he l l . "Hi sha ndst i ght e ne donhe rs houl de r s ,buthi svoi c er e ma i ne dl i ght ." I di dn' tr e a l i z et ha t ' swha ti twa s ,unt i lyouc utl oos ea tKe l l y. " " It ol dyouIha dat e mpe r . " " AndIs houl dha vebe l i e ve dyou.Butt ha tc a l ms ur f a c eofy our sha dmef ool e d.I si tt heI t a l i a nbl ood,do yout hi nk,orwa syourf a t he r ' sf a mi l yknownf ort he i rpa s s i ons ? " Shet houghthi swor dc hoi c eha dbe e nde l i be r a t e ,a ndi tma dehe rune a s y." Mymot he rt a ke st hec r e di t , " s hemur mur e d,ve r yc ons c i ousofhi sha ndsonhe r ." Ort hebl a me ,de pe ndi ngonyourpoi ntofvi e w.Umm. . .I r e a l l ys houl dbegoi ng. " " Notye t . "Het ur ne dhe rt of a c ehi m,ke e pi nghi sha ndsonhe rs houl de r s . J e nni f e rf e l tas e ns eofpa ni c ." Al lt hos et hi ngsIs a i da boutmymot he ra nd–We l l ,i t ' sj us tami s unde r s t a ndi ng,t ha t ' sa l l .She ' sal i t t l evol a t i l e ,a nds hej us tgotc a r r i e da wa ywi t ht heI de a–t hewr ongi de a–t ha tIwa s i nt e r e s t e di nyou. " " I si tawr ongi de a ? " " Ofc o ur s ei ti s !Iha r dl yknowyou. " " I ' mve r yi nt e r e s t e di nyou, "hes a i d,a ndt he na dde dt hought f ul l y," At a mewor d,t ha t . " Re me mbe r i nghe rmot he r ' sopi ni onoft hes a mewor d,J e nni f e rdi dn' tknowwhe t he rt ol a ughors we a r . " We l l ,i tdoe s n' tma t t e r , "s hes a i dwi t hat ouc hofde s pe r a t i on," be c a us eI ' mnoti nt hema r ke tf oraf l i nga tt he mome nt . " " Whos a i da nyt hi nga boutaf l i ng? "Hewa ss mi l i ng,vi ol e te ye sgl owi ngi nt ha tc ha r a c t e r i s t i cwa y,hi s ha ndshol di nghe rs houl de r sf i r ml y." Doyour e a l i z et ha tyouha ve n' tonc es a i dmyna me ? " J e nni f e rc oul dn' tbr e a kt hehol dofhi sga z e .Shef e l tc ur i ous l yt r a ppe d,s ome t hi nga l i vec a pt ur e di nr e s i n a ndi mpr i s on e df ore ons .Asi fi twe r es omephe nome nons heobs e r ve da pa r tf r om he r s e l f ,s hewa sa wa r eof s udde nl yqui c ke ne dhe a r t be a t s ,ofar i s i nghe a tt ha ts a ppe ds t r e ngt h,ofdi z z i ne s s .Andt he nhe rde t a c hme nt s na ppe d,ar ubbe rba nds t r e t c he dt oot i ght l y ,a ndi twa she r s e l fs hef e l tr e a c t i ngt hi swa y,l i kene ve rbe f or e .I t wa she rownbodyt ha twa sunf a mi l i a r . " Howa r eyoudoi ngt ha t ? "s hema na ge dt oa s k,ba f f l e d. " Doi ngwha t ? "hemur mur e d,t hec ha r mofhi se ye ss t i l lhol di nghe r ,al ur es hec oul dn' tr e s i s t . Wi t ha ne f f or tt ha tl e f the re ve nmor es ha ke n,J e nni f e rya nke dhe rga z ea wa y,s t a r i ngf i xe dl ya tt heope n c ol l a rofhi swhi t es hi r t ." Ne ve rmi nd.Iha vet ogo.Now. " " Yous oundl i keas c a r e dl i t t l egi r l ,a f r a i dt os t oppl a yi ngdr e s s upa ndt r yt her e a lt hi ng. " He rc hi nc a meupi ni ns t i nc t i vea nge r–a ndhe re ye swe r ec a ughta ga i nbyhi s .Asunwi l l i ngl yf a s c i n a t e d a sar a bbi twa t c hi ngac i r c l i ngha wk,s hes t a r e di nt oc ha nge a bl ee ye s ,pur pl e ,bl ue ,da r k,l i ght ,c ompe l l i ng." St op t ha t , "s hes a i d. " Sa ymyna me . " I ns omepa r tofhe rmi nd,J e nni f e rr e c ogni z e dt ha thi swa sac ons c i ousa bi l i t y,a ndonehewa sc ompl e t e l y a wa r eof .Heus e di tt hewa ya no t he rma nmi ghtus ea nypa r t i c ul a rt a l e nt ,a l wa ysa wa r eofus i ngi t .Li k ef l i ppi ng as wi t c h.As i r e n' svoi c et r a ppe di nvi ol e t ,avi s ua ls or c e r y.Andhe ri ns t i nc twa st of i ghtt ha t ,t of i ghthi m,a si f het hr e a t e ne dt ot a kes ome t hi ngf r om he rs hewa sunwi l l i ngt ogi ve .I ft hel ur eofhi se ye sha dof f e r e donl y s e duc t i on,s hec oul dha vef oughthi m;s hewa sbot ht ooi nt e l l i ge nta ndt ooi nde pe nde ntt omi ndl e s s l ygi vei nt oa pur e l yphys i c a lde ma nd. Buti twa smor et ha nt ha t .I twa sas e duc t i onoft hemi nda swe l la st hes e ns e s ,avi vi di nvi t a t i ont of l y hi gha ndl a ughj oyous l y,t ol i v eons omeI nc r e di bl el e ve ls heha dne ve re ve ni ma gi ne d.Andi twa si r r e s i s t i bl e . " Tr yi t , "heur ge d,a ndhedi dn' te xpl a i ni fheme a nts hes houl ds t oppl a yi ngdr e s s upa nds a mpl et her e a l t hi ng,ori ft hei nvi t a t i onwa st ha tot he r ,s i l e ntone .Ori fbot hwe r et hes a me ,onea ppe a lt ohe rmi nda ndt he ot he rt ohe rhe a r t . Shehe a r dhe rownvoi c er e s pond,a ndi twa snotas ubmi s s i onbutr a t he runde r s t a ndi nga nda c c e pt a nc e . " Da ne . " " Thes t a ke sa r ehi gh, "hewa r ne dhe rs of t l y. " Iknow. "Ar i ds hedi d.Aga mbl e rofi nt e gr i t y,Da newoul ds t a kes omevi t a lpa r tofhi ms e l f–buts o woul ds he .Andi nt hee nd,hec oul dwi ni ta l l . " Ma ybee ve n...e ve r yt hi ng. "

J e nni f e rt ookade e pbr e a t h,as wi mme ri ns t i nc t i ve l yt r e a di ngwa t e rt os a vehe r s e l ff r om t ha tt hi r da nd f i na lpl ungei nunc e r t a i nwa t e r s ." Iknow. " Hi sj a wt i ght e ne ds udde nl ya samus c l ef l e xe d." Bes ur e ,J e nny.Beve r ys ur e .Onc et hec a r dsa r ede a l tt he ga mes t a r t s . " " I si taga me ?Onl yt ha t ? "Shewa sdi ml ya wa r et ha the rha ndsha dl i f t e dt or e s tonhi sc he s t . " Eve r yt hi ng' saga me ,upt oapoi nt . "Hedr e whe ras t e pc l os e r ,hi sa r mss l i ppi nga r oundhe r ." The ni t be c ome sr e a l .Thega mec a n' thur tyou,J e nny.Butt her e a l i t yc a n. " J e nni f e rha dne ve ri nhe rl i f ebe e nt e mpt e dt os t r a yf r omt hes a f ea ndpr e di c t a bl epa t h:s c hool ,wor k,t he unde ma ndi ngs oc i a ls t r uc t ur eofoc c a s i ona lda t e sme a ni ngl i t t l e .ButDa ne ' se ye spr omi s e ds omuc hmor e . Pa s s i on,da nge r ,l a ught e r ,pa i n.Thepos s i bi l i t i e ss e e me de ndl e s s .Andt het e mpe s t uousna t ur es heha ds os uc c e s s f ul l yc ont r ol l e da l lt he s eye a r swa nt e dt hos epos s i bi l i t i e swi t hawi l dye a r ni ngs heha dne ve rbe e nc ons c i ous ofbe f or e . " Wha tha ppe nsi fIwi nt hega me ? "s hea s ke df i na l l y. " Tha tde pe ndsonwha tyoube t . " " Andonwha tyoube t ? "Whe nhenodde ds l owl y,s hepr obe d," Wha ta r eyoube t t i ng,Da ne ? " Foramome nt ,i ts e e me dhewoul dn' ta ns we r .Hi sf a c ewa ss t i l l ,t hec ha nge a bl ee ye ss ome t hi nge l s enow, s ome t hi ngwi t hs t r onge rhi nt sofda nge r ,ofaki ndofwi l dne s s ." Toomuc h, "hes a i di nar oughe ne dt one ." Too da mne dmuc ht hi st i me . " Whe nhi smout hc a pt ur e dhe r s ,J e nni f e ra ga i nf e l tt ha ti ns t a ntr e s pons e ,t heunc ur l i nghe a ti ns i dehe r .She f e l tt heha r dne s sofhi sbodya ga i ns the r ,t heune xpe c t e ds t r e ngt hofhi sa r msa r oundhe r .The r ewa snot hi ngl a z y a bouthi m now,not hi ngpol i s h e dors ua veorhumor ous ;i twa sa si fa not he rl a ye rofhi ms e l fha dbe e n a ba ndone d.Hewa sr oughe r ,mor edi r e c t ,hi sgr owi ngde s i r eunh i dde n. He r swa s n' tt heonl yt r ues e l fhi dde ni ns i dea" gl os s ys he l l , "i ts e e me d. Ands hec oul dnomor er e s i s tt ha tt ha ns heha dbe e na bl et os t a nda ga i ns tt hepr omi s e si nhi sr e ma r ka bl e e ye s .Fort hef i r s tt i me ,s heunde r s t oodhe rmot he r ' sr e f e r e nc et o" e s s e nc e s "a ndhowama nc oul df i l lawoma n' s s e ns e swi t ht ha ti nne rpa r tofhi ms e l f .Da newa sdoi ngt ha t ,i nf us i nghe rs ome howwi t ht hef l i c ke r i ngwi l dne s s s heha ds e e ni nhi m,i gni t i nghe rownde s i r e ss ot ha tt he ybur ne dbr i ght l y. He ra r mss l i ppe dupa r oundhi sne c k,f i nge r st a ngl i ngi nhi ss i l kybl a c kha i r ,a nds hef e l thi sha ndss l i de downove rhe rba c k,hol di nghe rmor et i ght l ya ga i ns thi m.Thes t a r kc a r e s sofhi st ongueha l fs a t i s f i e dat e r r i bl e c r a vi ngi ns i d ehe r ,j us ta st hef e e l i ngofhi sha r dbodypr e s s e dt ohe ryi e l di ngonepa r t i a l l ys a t e dt hes a me hunge r .Buti twa s n' te nough. Shedi dn' tc a r et ha tt he ys t oodJ us ti ns i det hewoodsahundr e dya r dsf r om t hec hi l dhoodhomes he wa nt e dde s pe r a t e l yt obehe r sa ga i n,di dn' tc a r et ha tDa neha dt ogoba c kt he r e ,t ha thewoul dbemi s s e ds oon. Shewa snol onge rque s t i oni ngt r us t ,orhonor ,orDa ne ' se ni gma t i cr e a s onsf orbe i nghe r e . Shewa sl uxur i a t i ngi ns e ns a t i ons .Some how,pe r ha psbe c a us ehewa saga mbl e ra ndac ha r mi ng,gr a c e f ulma nont hes ur f a c e ,s heha de xpe c t e dl e s sphys i c a ls t r e ngt hi nhi mde s pi t ehi ss i z e ,l e s spowe r .Butbe ne a t h t hef i nec l ot hofhi sc ur i ous l yf o r ma lc l ot hi ng ,s hec oul df e e lt hes ol i dmus c l e sofa ne xt r e me l ys t r onga nda c t i ve ma n.Hi sgr a c eha dbe c omeaf e l i net hi ng,t hef l ui ds uppl e ne s sofabodyunde runt hi nki ngc ont r ol .Hi sha nds , bi ga ndl ongf i nge r e d,move dov e rhe rbodywi t ha na l mos tde l i c a t ema s t e r y,a si fhekne w,wi t houtas ha dowof adoubt ,t ha ts hebe l onge dt ohi m. AndJ e nni f e rkne wi tt oo.Nota sac ons c i ousde c i s i on,f orc ons c i ous l ys hewoul da l wa ysr e be la tt he t houghtofhe r s e l fa sapos s e s s i on.I twa ss ome t hi nge l s e ,s ome t hi ngde e pe ra ndmor ea bs ol ut e ,a na c knowl e dgme ntt ha twe ntbe yondt houghtorr e a s on.Shewa shi s ,noma t t e rwha t ,hi sbys omepr i mi t i ver e c koni ngt he y bot hunde r s t oodi ns t i nc t i ve l y. " No, "s hemur mur e d,a na ut oma t i cpr ot e s ta ga i ns twha twa s ,a shi sl i psl i f t e df r omhe r s . " Ye s . "Heki s s e dones i deofhe rt r e mbl i ngmout h,t he nt heot he r ,hi sbi gbodyt a uta ga i ns the r s ." I t ' st oo l a t enow. "Hi svoi c ewa sde e p,hus ky. " Thega me–? "s hewhi s pe r e d. Heha l fl a ughe d,ar oughs oundt ha twa sa l mos tagr oa n." Whot hehe l l ' st a l ki nga boutaga me. . . "Hi s mout hf i t t e dI t s e l fove rhe r sa ga i n,pos s e s s i ng . Ava gues e ns eofa l a r ms we ptt hr oughJ e nni f e r ,e ve na she rmout hr e s ponde dt ohi s .Noga me. . .Noga me now,s oqui c kl y,a ndnoc ha nc eofnotbe i nghur ti fi te nde dba dl y.I twa sr e a l ,i twa sa l lr e a l ,a nds heha dknown i twoul dbe . Shef e l toneofhi sha ndsi nhe rha i r ,t a ngl i ng,hol di nghe rhe a df i r ml ywhi l ehepl unde r e dhe rmout h,a nd awhi mpe rofpl e a s ur ea ndpa i ne s c a pe dhe ra tt hef or c eofhi m.I ns t a nt l y,hege nt l e d,t hef i nge r si nhe rha i r c a r e s s i ng,hi sl i pss of t e ni ng,t heha r da r msa r oundhe rc r a dl i ng. " Da mmi t ,J e nny, "hemut t e r e d,l i f t i nghi she a da nds t a r i ngdowna the r ," howa mIs uppos e dt oke e pmy mi ndonmyj ob?Whydi dyouh a vet obet heonet owa l ki nt ot hes t udyl a s tni ght ? " " Ofa l lt hegi nj oi nt s , "s hema na ge duns t e a di l y. Hel a ughe dal i t t l e ." Ri ght .Youha dt owa l ki nt omi ne .Thel a dyi nr e d,as t ol e nbr a c e l e ti nhe rha nda nd pa ni cs t i r r i ngi nhe re ye s . " " I twa s n' ts t ol e n, "s hes a i di dl y,f a s c i na t e dbyt hewa yhi sl i pss ha pe dwor ds ." J us tt a ke nba c k. " Heki s s e dhe ra ga i n,e ye sr e s t l e s s ." Wha t e ve r .Youha ve n' tbe e noutofmymi nds i nc et he n.AndnowI ' ve gott ogoba c ki nt ot ha thous ea ndpl a ypoke rwi t has ha r k. " " Doyouha vet o? "Sheha df or got t e ne ve r yt hi nge l s e ,a ndhi swor dsi mpl i e dt ha thewoul ds oonl e a vehe r –a ni mpl i c a t i ons hewa spa s s i ona t e l ya ga i ns t . " Ye s . "Hes t i f l e das udde ngr oa na ss hemove da ga i ns thi mi npr ot e s t ,he rbodyi ns t i nc t i ve l ys e duc t i ve , a ndhes l i dhi sha ndsdownt ohe rc ur ve dhi ps ,hol di nghe rf i r ml ya wa yf r omhi m." J e nny, "hewa r ne dhus ki l y.

Somepa r tofJ e nni f e r ' smi ndt ol dhe rt oge the rs pl i nt e r e dc ont r olba c kqui c kl ybe f or es hema deat ot a l f oolofhe r s e l f ,buti twa sgone .I r r e t r i e va bl yc a s tt ot hewi nds .Shekne whewa nt e dhe ra ndt ha twa se nough,f or now." Iwa ntyou, "s het ol dhi mf i e r c e l y. Da neha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ,f i ght i ngf orac omma ndove rhi sbodya nds e ns e st ha theha dn' te xpe c t e dt o l os e ,ac ont r olheha dne ve rbe f or el os t .Th epr of e s s i ona lp a r tofhi mt ha tha da l wa ysma i nt a i ne dac e r t a i n de t a c hme ntha dva ni s he d.Hewa nt e dhe r ,r i ghtnow,he r ei nt hewoodsl i kes omepa ga na c t ,t he i rc l ot he s s c a t t e r e d,mos sf orabe d.Hewa nt e dhe rna ke da ga i ns thi m,wi l di npa s s i on,a ndt ha tne e dbur ne di nhi ml i kea f i r ea l mos toutofc ont r ol . Buti twa sJ e nnyhewa nt e d,t heve r y–wha tha ds hes a i de a r l i e r ?–t heve r ye s s e nc eofhe r ,notj us ta f e ma l ebodyma t c hi nghi si npa s s i on.Andt ha tde s i r ec oul dn' tbes a t i s f i e dbyabr i e fa ndne c e s s a r i l yhur r i e d j oi ni nghi dde nI nt hewoods .Hewa nt e dt ot a kehe rt obe df orawe e k,amont h,t ol e a r nhe rs ot hor oughl yt ha tno pa r tofhe rhe l das ur pr i s ef orhi m–e xc e ptt hes ur pr i s eofe t e r na lf a s c i na t i on. " J e nny, "hes a i dr oughl y," t he r ei s n' tt i me . " Shewe nts t i l l ,ga z i ngupa thi ma she rbl uee ye ss ha de da br upt l yt owa r dgr a y.Unc e r t a i n.Doubt f ul . Hef r a me dhe rf a c ei nhi sha nds ." Iwa ntyou, "het ol dhe ri nat onet ha tl e f tnodoubtoft r ut h.Hi st humb br us he dhe rt r e mbl i ngl i psi nas ma l lc a r e s s ,a ndhema na ge dac r ooke d,r ue f uls mi l e ." ButIc a n' ts t opot he r t hi ngsI ' vea l r e a dys e ti nmot i on.AndIwon' tc he a te i t he rofusb yt r yi ngt of i tl ove ma ki ngi nt oas c he dul e . " " Be c a us ei ti s n' taga me ? "s hewhi s pe r e d,ve r ya wa r eofhi se mpha s i sont hewor dl ov e mak i ng. " Be c a us ei ti s n' taga me , "hea gr e e d." Af e wda ys–a ndt he nt he r e ' l lbet i mef orus . "Hi sga z emove dr e s t l e s s l yove rhe rf a c e ." Doyouunde r s t a nd,J e nny?Theot he rt h i ngsa r e n' tmor ei mpor t a nt ,t he y' r eJ us t–mor e i mpe r a t i ver i ghtnow. " Thoughhe rbodys t i l lt hr obbe dwi t huns a t i s f i e dde s i r e s ,J e nni f e r ' smi ndwa sa tl a s tbe gi nni ngt oc l e a r . Andi fal a r gepa r tofhe rt r us t e dhi mi mp l i c i t l y,t he r ewa ss t i l lt ha tr a t i ona l ,r e a s oni ngpa r tt ha tdi s t r us t e d i ns t i nc ta ndde ma nde da ns we r s .Hi sdi s c ove r yofKe l l y' sc ount e r f e i tpl a t e sha ds ounde da c c i de nt a lwhe nheha d e xpl a i ne di tt ohe r ;whywa si tnows o" i mpe r a t i ve "t ha ti tha dt obede a l twi t honac a r e f uls c he dul e ? Whyha dher e a l l yc omehe r e ? " J e nny? " He rha ndsha ds l i ppe ddownt or e s tonhi sc he s t ,a nds heunc ons c i ous l ygr i ppe dt hel a pe l sofhi sj a c ke t . " Wha ta r eyou,Da ne ? "s hea s ke d,mys t i f i e d. Hi sc r ooke ds mi l er e a ppe a r e d,a ndt hevi ol e te ye s ,ma s ke dnow,we r eve r yi nt e ntonhe r s ." Aga mbl e ra nd at hi e f .You' r et hi nki ngofhi t c hi ngyourf a t et oar ogues t a r ,hone y.Andt ha t ' st hel a s twa r ni ngyou' l lge tf r om me . " Shea bs or be dt ha ta shet ookhe rha nda ndl e dhe rt ot hec a r ,butwhe nheope ne dt hedr i ve r ' sdoors he pa us e d,l ooki nga thi ms e a r c hi ngl y.Shef e l tpe c ul i a r l ydi s pl a c e d,a si fs omehe a dl ongr us hha dl e f the rqui ve r i ng ont hebr i nkofs ome t hi ng,ha l f c ommi t t e d,s t i l lva gue l yunc e r t a i n.Shet r i e dt ot hi nk,wonde r i ngi ft ha twe r e pos s i bl er i ghtnow." Umm...y ouwe r egoi ngt ot e l lmei fIr a t t l e dKe l l y. " " Youdi d. "Da ne ,t oo,s e e me ddi s t r a c t e d,buthi ss hut t e r e de ye sne ve rl e f the rf a c e ." Hec a meba c ki nt o t hepa r l ora ndt he ne xc us e dhi ms e l fa ga i ni mme di a t e l y.Phonec a l l st ot a kec a r eof ,hes a i d. " " So,he ' l ll ookf ort hepl a t e ?Andf i ndi ti nt ha tgua r d' sr oom? " " Ve r yl i ke l y. " " The nwha t ?Thegua r dwi l lde nyt a ki ngi t . " " Ofc o ur s e ,s i nc ehe ' si nnoc e nt . " " He ' l lbef i r e d,won' the ? " " Ma ybe . "Da neha t e ds a yi ngt ha ti naha r dt one .ha t e ds e e i ngt hedi s ma yonhe rf a c e .Wi t houtI nt e ndi ng t o,hea dde dmor ege nt l y," He ' l lbet a ke nc a r eof ,J e nny.Ipr omi s e .Hewon' ts uf f e rf ort hi s . " Sher e l a xe dj us tabi t ,c l e a r l yt r us t i nghi mi nt ha t ." I Is e e .The nwha twi l lyoudo? " " Pl a ypoke r . "Hes hr ugge d." Fi ndou twha t ' sgoi ngon.Lookf ort heot he rpr e s s ,t hepl a t e .Fi ndouti f Ke l l y' spa s s i ngc ount e r f e i tmone y. " " Be c a us eyouoweaf r i e ndi nt heTr e a s ur yDe pa r t me nt ? " " Be c a us eIoweaf r i e nd. " " Won' tKe l l ybes us pi c i ouswhe nt hegua r dde ni e se ve r yt hi ng? "s hea s ke d,t a l ki ngnowmor ef ort hes a ke ofpr ol ongi ngt he i rt i met oge t he rt ha na nyt hi n ge l s e . " Pr oba bl y.I ' l lde a lwi t hi t ,s ome how. " J e nni f e rf e l ls i l e nt .The r es e e me dnot hi ngmor et oa s k,e xc e ptt heoneque s t i ons hewoul dn' tvoi c ea l oud. Whe nwi l lIs e eyouagai n? " J e nny. . . " " Iknow, "s hes a i dhur r i e dl y." Iha vet ogo. " Her e a c h e doutt ot i phe rc hi nup,a ndl e a ne dove rt heope nc a rdoor ,ki s s i nghe rf i r ml ya ndt hor oughl y. Andt ha tki s sl e f the ri nnodoubtt ha tde s i r ewa ss t i l lve r ymuc hpr e s e nt ,a nds t i l lve r yr e a l . " Don' tf or ge tme , "hes a i ds of t l y. Si l e nt l y,s hegoti nt ohe rc a ra nds t a r t e di ta shec l os e dt hedoor .The n,wi t hal a s tha l f ba f f l e dl ooka t hi m,s hedr ov es l owl yof fdownt her ut t e dt r a c kt owa r dt hema i nr oa d. Da ner e ma i ne dt he r eunt i lhec oul dnol onge rs e eorhe a rt hec a r ,unt i lt hef or e s ts wa l l owe di t–a ndhe r . The nhet ur ne ds l owl ya nds t a r t e dba c kt owa r dt hehous e .Agl a nc ea thi swa t c ht ol dhi mhes t i l lha dt i mebe f or e di nne r ,t ha tt hei nt e r l udewi t hJ e nni f e rha ds p a nne dmi nut e sonl y . Hewonde r e di fhewa sbe i ngada mne df ool . As of twhi s t l ec a ughthi sa t t e nt i onj us ta shef oundawa yba c ki nt ot heove r gr ownga r de nne a rt hes i deof t hehous e ,a ndhepa us e d,l ooki nga r ound.

" He r e , "Skyes a i di nal owvoi c e ,s t e ppi ngoutf r omt hee a r l ye ve ni ngs ha dowsbe ne a t hwha tmi ghtonc e , I na ne r aofga r de npa r t i e s ,ha vebe e na na r bor . Da nel ooke da thi mf oramome nt ,t h e ngl a nc e da r oundt oma kec e r t a i nt he ywe r ea l one .The r ewa sno onei ns i ght ,nos oundt obehe a r d.J oi ni ngh i spa r t ne ri nt hedi mne s soft hea r bor ,hes a i di na ne qua l l yqui e t t one ," Ta ki ngac ha nc e . " " Coul d n' tbehe l pe d, "Skyes a i d." Mi ndi fIa s kyouaque s t i on? " " Youwi l la nywa y, "Da nemut t e r e d. " You' r es or i ght .Whe na r eyougoi ngt ot e l lyourl a dyt het r ut h? " Da nedi dn' ta ns we rf oramome nt ,orl ooka tt heot he rma n.I ns t e a d,hega z e dt owa r dt hehous e ,s e ns e s a ut oma t i c a l l ypr obi ngt oa l e r thi mi nc a s es ome onea ppr oa c he d." Thet r ut h? "hes a i df i na l l y." Te nye a r sofl i e s , s ha dows ,a ndha l f t r ut hs .Wha tc a nIt e l lhe r ? "The n,r e a l i z i ng,h es hothi spa r t ne ras ha r pl ook." Yous a wusout t he r e . " " Sor r y.Pur e l yuni nt e nt i ona l ,Ia s s ur eyou.Iwa sl ooki ngf oryou.Andyoudi dn' ta ns we rt heque s t i on. " " Ye s ,Idi d. " " Cuti tout , "Skyes a i dr oughl y." Youknowwha tI ' mt a l ki nga bout . " The ys t oodga z i nga te a c hot he r ,t wome nwhoha dbe e npa r t ne r sf orade c a dea ndbe s tf r i e ndsmuc h l onge rt ha nt ha t .Bot hbi gme n,bot hwi t hbr i ghte ye sa nds ha dowsi ns i de .Me nwhos es ha r e dpa s t sf or me da bondr a r e l yputi nt owor ds .Me nwhokne we a c hot he rt oowe l lt obea bl et odi s s e mbl e ;be t we e nt he m,t he r ewa s l i t t l el e f te xc e ptt heunva r ni s he dt r ut h. " Shet a l ke da bouthonor ,Skye , "Da nes a i dt a ut l y." Wha tc oul dIs a yt ot ha t ,e xc e ptmor eha l f t r ut hs ? Wha tc oul dIt e l lhe r ?I fIha vea nyhonorl e f tt ome ,i t ' sbe e nha c ke dt opi e c e sove rt heye a r s . " " Tha ti s n' tt r ue ,a ndyouknowi t . " " Idon' tknowa nyt hi nga nymor e .Exc e ptt ha tIa mwha ts het hi nksIa m.Aga mbl e ra ndat hi e f . " " No.Tha t ' st hema s que r a de . " " I si t ?Whe ndoe st hea c t orbe c omet her ol e ?Webot hknowi tha ppe nss oone rorl a t e r .Ma ybeIn e e d J e nnyt or e mi ndmet ha tIc r os s e dt ha tl i neal ongt i mea go. " Skyedr e wade e pbr e a t ha ndr e l e a s e dI ts l owl y." So.You' r ei nl ovewi t hhe r . " I thi tDa nel i keaphys i c a lbl ow,af i s tdr i vi ngi nt ohi m,br ui s i ngs omei nt e gr a lpa r tofhi m.Buthedi dn' t de nyi t .Be c a us et heuna c c us t ome dt a ngl eofe mot i onss udde nl yma des e ns e ,a ndhes a wwha thi spa r t ne rha d s e e nf i r s t . Hewa si nl ovewi t hJ e nni f e r .Ats omemome ntdur i ngt hepa s tt we nt yf ourhour s ,s heha dbe c omevi t a l l y i mpor t a ntt ohi m,a sne c e s s a r ya shi sne xtbr e a t h.Hedi dn' tkno wwhe ni tha dha ppe ne d.Pe r ha psmi nut e sa go, whe nheha dhe l da ndki s s e dhe r .Orbe f or e ,whe ns heha ds oc omi c a l l yr e l a t e dhe rmot he r ' si nt e nt i onof poi s oni nghi swi f e ,i fonee xi s t e d.Ore ve nl a s tni ght ,whe nal a dyi nar e ddr e s s ,as t ol e nbr a c e l e ti nhe rs l e nde r ha nd,ha dga z e da thi mwi t hpa ni cI nhe re ye s . " Da mn, "hes a i ds of t l y. " Al lt hi st a l ka bouthonor , "Skyemur mur e d," be c a us eyou' r eaga mbl e r ,a ndhe rf a t he rl os the rhomei na poke rga me .Sos hea s ke dyou–oryou' r ea s ki ngyour s e l f–I ft he r ea r ea nyl i ne syouwon' tc r os s .The r ea r e , Da ne .Yout hi nkIdon' tknowa f t e ra l lt he s eye a r s ? " " Howc a nyou,whe nIdon' t ? " " Butyoudoknow.Tha tc e r t a i nt ywa sa l wa ysyour s ,oryou' dha vene ve rgot t e ni nt ot hi sbus i ne s s .I t ' s be i ngi nl ove–wi t hhe ri npa r t i c ul a r–t ha t ' st hr ownyou.You' vea l r e a dyc ommi t t e dyour s e l ft ot hi sj ob,whi c hi s oneI ns t a nc eofI nt e gr i t y,byt hewa y;you' r es t uc ki nt hema s que r a def ort hedur a t i on,a ndi t ' ss he e rha bi tt os t i c k t ot hos eha l f t r ut hsyouwe r et a l ki nga bout .She ' sgotbuc ke t sofdoubt s ,unde r s t a nda bl ea f t e rwha tha ppe ne dt o he rf a t he r .ButIdi dn' tnot i c et ho s edoubt shol di nghe rof fve r yf a raf e wmi nut e sa go. " " Voye ur , "Da nemut t e r e d,butwi t has pa r kofa mus e me nt . Sa t i s f i e dwi t ht her e a c t i on,Skyewe ntonc a l ml y." I ' dbewi l l i ngt obe t ,a s s umi ngJ e nni f e r ' si ns t i nc t sa r e i ngoodwor ki ngor de r ,t ha ts heknowsi nt e gr i t ywhe ns hes e e si t .She ' l lpr oba bl ybema da she l lwhe nyou f i na l l yc onf e s s ,butIdoubts he ' l lbeve r ymuc hs ur pr i s e d. " " Shec oul dne ve rl oveaga mbl e r , "Da nes a i dr oughl y. " She ' sa l r e a dyl ove done , "Skyepoi nt e dout ,a ndbe f or ehi spa r t ne rc oul dr e s pond,hea dde d," And,t o you,ga mbl i ngi sbus i ne s s .Theoddsa nds ki l lf a s c i na t eyou,nott hewi nni ng.Youmi ghtha vef ol de daf e wt i me s wi t hawi nni ngha nd,butyou' vene ve rde a l tof ft hebot t omt owi n.Tha t ' sa not he rl i neyouha ve n' tc r os s e d. " " Ima yha vet oc r os si tt hi st i me . " Af t e ramome nt ,Skyea s ke d," I sKe l l yt ha tgood? " " Rumorha si t .Andunl e s shes t a r t spa s s i ngt ha tphonymone yf r omt hes t a r t ,I ' l lha vet oba c khi mr i ghtt o t hewa l l .Wedon' tha veahopei nhe l loff i nd i ngt ha tpr e s sunl e s shel e a dsust oi t ,a ndIdoubthe l lgoa nywhe r e ne a ri tunt i lhene e dsmone yba dl y.Iha vet owi nt hi st i me .Iha v et o. " " I t ' sbus i ne s s ,Da ne . " " No.Thi st i me ,i t ' spe r s ona l .Iwantt obe a thi m.Don' tyous e e ?Ic a n' tt e l lmys e l ft he r e ' sapr e c i s el i ne be t we e nr i ghta ndwr ong,al i neI ' mba l a nc i ngon.Nott hi st i me . " " Youwa ntt obe a thi m be c a us eyou' r ei nl ovewi t hJ e nni f e r .He l l ,i t ' ss oobvi ous .Thati syourpoi ntof honor .Youc a n' ts t oma c hwha tKe l l ydi dt oJ e nni f e ra ndhe rmot he r ;youc a n' twa l ka wa yf r omi t ;a ndyouc a n' t l e a ves ome bodye l s et oc l e a nupt heme s s .Youpr omi s e dhe rs he ' dha vehe rhomeba c k.Andyou' l lge ti tba c k f orhe r ,c omehe l lorhi ghwa t e r .Be c a us eyoul ovehe r ,a ndyouma deapr omi s e .I ft ha ti s n' ti nt e gr i t y,t he nI don' tknowwha ti s . " Da nec huc kl e ds udde nl y,t hes oundofba l a nc er e s t or e d." Idon' tknowi fyou' r er i ght ,buti ts oundsgood. " " I ' mr i ght .Tr us tme . "

Af t e ragl a nc ea tt hel umi nousdi a lofhi swa t c h,Da nemur mur e d," Te nmi nut e sunt i ldi nne r .God,t hi s ha sbe e nt hel onge s thourofmyl i f e .The y' l lt hi nkI ' ml os touthe r e . "Hel ooke da thi spa r t ne r ." Whywe r eyou l ooki ngf orme ? " " As l i g hthi t c hi nt hepl a n. " " ' Youc oul dn' tf i ndSe t on' sr oom? " " Oh,If oundt her oom.AndSe t onf oundmei ni t ,wor s el uc k.Theonl yt hi ngIc oul dt hi nkofwa st oha ve hi mpa c kaba gqui c ka ndge thi moutoft he r e . " Da nef r owne dal i t t l e ." SoKe l l ywi l la s s umehegotne r vouswhe nJ e nnys howe dup,a ndbol t e d? " " Cr os syourf i nge r s . " " Whe r ei shenow? " " Heha da ne xc us ef orac a rpa r ke doutba c k,s oIt r us s e dhi mupa ndputhi mi nt heba c ks e a t .The r e ' sa s e r vi c er oa dl e a di ngt ot hema i nhi ghwa y;Idr oveal i t t l ewa ya l ongi ta ndpul l e dof f .Tha t ' st hr e ewa ysont ot hi s pl a c eI ' vec ount e d, "hea dde dpa r e nt he t i c a l l y." Se c ur i t ymus tbehe l l . " Da newa st hi nki ngi tt hr ough." Thepl a t e ? " " Tops he l fofhi sc l os e t .Ke l l ys houl df i ndi te a s i l ye nough,I ' dt hi nk. " " Oka y.Wha t ' l lwedowi t hSe t on? " " I ' vec ons i de r e dt ha t .Re me mbe rTonyf r omBa t onRouge ? " " Ofc o ur s eIr e me mbe r . " " I ' l lgi vehi mac a l l .Heowe susone ,s ohe ' l lbeha ppyt oke e pa ne yeonSe t onunt i lwec a nge tt her e s tof t hi sc l e a r e du p.Twohour sbyc a r ,a ndhe ' she r e . " Da nenodde ds l owl y." Goode nough. " " It houghts o. " " Youha vea nyt r oubl ewi t hSe t on? " " Di dhet r yt obeac owboy,youme a n?No.Hec a mea l ongme e ka sal a mb. " Da newa s n' ts ur pr i s e d.He ' ds e e nhul ki ngbr ut e swhoba s he dpe opl e ' she a dsi nf orf unobe ySkyewi t hout amur mur ." Al lr i ght ,t he n.Weg oonf r omhe r ea spl a nne d. " Da neme thi shos tha l f wa yba c kt ot heve r a nda ,a ndGa r r e t tKe l l y' sbr owsl i f t e da tt hes i ghtofhi m. " Wewe r ewonde r i nga boutyou, "hes a i dpol i t e l y. " I ' m pa r tc a t , "Da net ol dhi mi na ne a s y,l a z yt one ." Ne ve rha ppyunt i lI ' vef ounda l lt hec ome r s .Los t t r a c koft i me ,I ' ma f r a i d. " " Yous houl dha vewor ke dupa na ppe t i t e ,t he n. "Ke l l ys a i d. " Ye s .Ye s ,Ic e r t a i nl yha ve . "

Fi ve J e nni f e rha r dl ykne whowt or e s pondt ohe rmot he r ' si ne vi t a bl eque s t i onsa f t e rs her e t ur ne df r om Be l l e Re t oura ndDa ne .Shewa ss t i l lt r a ppe di nt ha tpe c ul i a rf e e l i ngofs us pe ns i on,ofwa i t i ng,poi s e dwi t houtbr e a t h ont hee dgeofs ome t hi ng.Buts heha dunde r e s t i ma t e dhe rmot he r .Fr a nc e s c a ,a f t e ronepe ne t r a t i ngl ooka t J e nni f e r ,me r e l ys mi l e da nda s ke dnot hi ng. Tha tr e a c t i onbot he r e dJ e nni f e r ,a ndwhe ns hewe ntt owa s hupbe f or edi nne rs het ookt heoppor t uni t yt o l ooki nt oami r r or ,s e a r c hi ngf orwha t e ve ri twa st ha the rmot he rha ds e e n.Buts hel ooke df a mi l i a rt ohe rown e ye s ,unc ha ng e d.Abi tpa l e ,pe r ha ps ,butt ha twa snot hi ng. Sur e l yt ha twa snot hi ng. Shes l e ptf i t f ul l yt ha tni ght ,wa ki ngof t e nwi t has t a r t ,he rhe a r tpoundi ng.Mor ni ngbr oughthe rt hegr i m a wa r e ne s sofhe rowns c a t t e r e de mot i ons ,a nds hema deade t e r mi ne de f f or tt oga i nc ont r olove rhe r s e l f .The r e s ul t ,a ndones hewa sa l lt ooa wa r eof ,wa st ha ts hea c hi e ve daki ndofs ur f a c ec a l m,be ne a t hwhi c hnot hi ng c ha nge d. Shedi dn' twa ntt ot hi nk,a ndr e t r e a t e dt ohe rs t udyi mme di a t e l ya f t e rbr e a kf a s tt owor k.Si nc es hewa sa f r e e l a nc ec omme r i c a la r t i s t ,s heus ua l l ywor ke da thome ,a ndma na ge dt oi mme r s ehe r s e l fi nhe rr out i ne .Fora t l e a s ts e ve r a lhour s ,s heke pthe rmi ndbl a nk,t r us t i ngt oa ut oma t i ca wa r e ne s sofhe rwor k.Buta f t e rl unc hs he c oul dn' tr e c a pt ur et ha tmood,a nds a ta the rboa r d,aha l f f i ni s he dl a youtpi nne dbe f or ehe r . Da mn.Shewonde r e dwhoha dt r i umphe dI nt het e s tofpoke rs ki l ll a s tni ghtbe t we e nDa nea ndKe l l y. Shewonde r e di fKe l l yha dl e ts l i pa nyt hi ngt ha tmi ghtha vet ol dDa net hepl a t eha dbe e nr e c ove r e d.She wonde r e di fs he ' de ve rs e eDa nea ga i n. Thel a s twa saha unt i ngque s t i on.Sheha dme thi monl yt heni ghtbe f or el a s t ,a f t e ra l l ,a ndkne wa l mos t not hi nga bouthi m...e xc e ptt ha tbyhi sowna dmi s s i onhewa saga mbl e ra ndat hi e f .Hewa sa f t e rs ome t hi ng f r om Ke l l y,t ha tmuc ha ppe a r e dobvi ous .Butwha t ?Ac ount e r f e i tpl a t e ,heha ds a i d.Butwha tpr oofdi ds he ha vet ha ts uc hat hi nge ve ne xi s t e d?Sheha dn' ts e e ni t . Ye s ,Ke l l yha dc l e a r l ybe e nr obbe dofs ome t hi ng–butha di tbe e napl a t e ?Ands heha donl yDa ne ' swor d t ha twha t e ve rt hei t e mwa s ,i tha dbe e nr e t ur n e dt oKe l l y. Thes he e rf or c eofhi spe r s ona l i t yha dc a r r i e dhe ra l ong,uns e t t l e dbutobe yi ng,doubt i nghi se xpl a na t i ons ye ta l l owi nghi mt oha l fc onvi nc ehe rhewa st e l l i ngt het r ut h. Sher e a l i z e ds udde nl y,mi s e r a bl y,t ha thewoul dma kea ne xc e l l e ntc onf i de nc ema n;heha dt heunc a nny a bi l i t yt oi ns pi r ebe l i e fe ve ni nt hef a c eofdoubt .AndJ e nni f e rc oul dn' the l pbutwonde ri fhewa spl a yi ngonhe r e mot i onsl i keama s t e rma ni pul a t or ,us i nghe ri ns omeda r kga meofhi sown. He rownr e s pons et ohi mwa se a s yt oe xpl a i n,s hea s s ur e dhe r s e l f .Sheha dbe e noutofc ont r olf ort hef i r s t t i mei nhe ra dul tl i f e .Tha twa swhys heha dr e s ponde ds owi l dl y,whys heha dr e a c t e dwi t hs uc ha ba ndon.I t ha dn' tbe e nhi m,i tha dbe e nhe r s e l f .Sheha dbe e n. . .ove r s e ns i t i vet oe ve r yt hi ng,i nc l udi nghi st ouc h,hi ski s s e s .

Tha twa sa l l .Al l . " J e nni f e r !Thos et r ous e r s–" " J e a ns .I ' m wor ki ng,Mot he r . "Shepi c ke dupape nc i l ,f r owni ng,t r yi ngt ol ooka st hought ha twa st he t r ut h. " Youha veavi s i t or , "Fr a nc e s c as a i dg e nt l y. J e nni f e rf e l the rhe a r tc a t c h,butma na ge dt oke e phe rvoi c ee ve n." Oh?Iwa s n' te xpe c t i nga nyone . "And s heha dn' the a r dt hedoor be l l . He rmot he r ' sl a ughwa st hr oa t y." Thi sonewoul da l wa ysbeune xpe c t e d,It hi nk.Soha nds ome !Ands uc h c ha r m,a h,Ikne whewa syourma n! " Wi nc i ng,J e nni f e rmur mur e d," Da ne ? " " Butofc our s e .Suc hma nne r s ,t ha tone .Hea s ke dmei fhemi ghtt a keyououtt hi sa f t e r noon.Na t ur a l l y,I s a i dt ha theha dmybl e s s i ng. " J e nni f e rs l i dof fhe rs t ool ,s t a r i nga the rmot he rwi t hi nc r e a s i nga l a r m.I tdi dn' ts ur pr i s ehe rt ha tDa neha d wonFr a nc e s c aove rs oqui c kl y ;he rmot he rwa spr e di s pos e dt ol ovec ha r mi ngme nwi t hga l l a ntma nne r s ,a nd Da newa sundoubt e dl yt ha t ." Mot he r ,youdi dn' t...youdi dn' ts a y–" Fr a nc e s c al i f t e das c or nf ulbr ow." Myba by,woul dt ha tbes ubt l e ?Ofc our s e ,Idi dnots a yt ha tIkne whe wa syourma n.Thi si sf orhi mt ot e l lme .Andhewi l l . "Shenodde dde c i s i ve l y." Butnow,youmus tc ha nge . " " Iwi l lnot , "J e nni f e rs a i ds t ubbor nl y." AndI ' mnotgoi nga nywhe r ewi t hhi m. "Shedr e was hor tbr e a t h. " He ' saga mbl e r ,Mot he r .Agambl e r . " Fr a nc e s c adi dn' tl ooks ur pr i s e d,butonl yt hought f ul .Shes t udi e dhe rda ught e rf oramome nt ,t he n s hr ugge dc a r e l e s s l y." The nyoumus tt e l lhi mt ha t ,myba by. " J e nni f e rt os s e dhe rpe nc i la s i dea nds qua r e dhe rs houl de r s .Shet ur ne da wa yf r omhe rmot he ra ndl e f tt he r oom,uns ur pr i s e dwhe nFr a nc e s c adi dn' ta c c ompa nyhe r .Hol di ngont ohe rf r a gi l es ur f a c ec ont r ol ,s hewe nti nt o t hes ma l ll i vi ngr oom,de t e r mi ne dt os t opt h i si ns a ni t y.Butwhe ns heha l t e dt wos t e psi nt ot her oom a nds a w hi m,s hec oul dn' ts e e mt of i ndt hewor ds . Hewa ss t a ndi ngbyt hef i r e pl a c e ,ga z i ngupa tabe a ut i f ul l yf r a me ds ke t c hdonei npa s t e l st ha thung a bovet hema nt e l .Thedr a wi ngwa sofRuf usCha nt r y,a ndhewa s ,c ur i ous l y,dr e s s e da sDa newa sdr e s s e dnow, i nl i ght c ol or e ds por t sj a c ke ta ndpa nt swi t hawhi t es hi r tope na tt het hr oa t . " Your s ? "Da neque s t i one ds of t l ywi t houtl ooki nga the r . " Ye s , "s hea ns we r e d,a dmi t t i ngt obe i ngt hea r t i s t . Het ur ne dt of a c ehe r ,s mi l i ngal i t t l ebutwi t hunr e a da bl ee ye s ." Ac ha r a c t e r i s t i cpos e ,hol di ngade c kof c a r ds ? " J e nni f e rgl a nc e dpa s thi ma tt hes ke t c h ,a ndf e l the rt hr oa tt i ght e n." I twa st heonl yt i mehewa ss t i l l , "s he s a i d,a dmi t t i ngnot hi ngnow. Da nenodde d." Is e e .Youre ye sa r egr a y. " Shel o oke dba c ka thi m,c a ughtof fgua r d. " Themor ni ngbr oughtdoubt s ,obvi ous l y, "hemur mur e d. Shewonde r e di fhe re ye sr e a l l ydi dc ha ngec ol or ,ori ft ha twa sonl yhi si de a ." Thedoubt swe r ea l r e a dy t he r e , "s hes a i di na ne ve nt one ." Ij us tt ookal ongha r dl ooka tt he m." " Andc onde mne dmewi t houtat r i a l ? " J e nni f e rf e l ts ome t hi ngI ns i dehe rt ur nove rwi t hat hud.Oh,hewa sgood,s her e mi nde dhe r s e l ff i e r c e l y. Hewa ss ogoods hec oul df e e lh e r s e l fr e s pondi ngt ohi m,e ve nnow.Tha tbe a ut i f ulvoi c eofhi sc ont r ol l e dj us ta hi ntofs a dne s sorbi t t e r ne s s ;h i ss mi l ewa sc r ooke d,hi se ye ss ha dowe da ndunr e a da bl e .He ri mpul s ewa st o bl ur t , I ' ms or r y !be c a us es ome t hi ngt ol dhe rs heha dhur thi mwi t hhe rdoubt s ,buts hehe l dt hea pol ogyba c k. " Idon' tknowwhyyou' r ehe r e , "s hes a i d.i gnor i nghi sque s t i on. Hec a met ohe rs l owl y,butma denoe f f or tt ot ouc hhe rwhe nhes t oodbe f or ehe r ." Wi l lyougof oradr i ve wi t hme ? "hea s ke ds of t l y. " I ' mwor ki ng. "Ta ut l y,s hea dde d," Someot he rt i me . " " Wene e dt ot a l k,J e nny. " " I ' vet a ke nmys e l foutoft hega me , "s het ol dhi m. " I ti s n' taga me , "hes a i d,s udde nl yr ough." I fi twa s ,Iwoul dn' tbehe r e .Is houl dn' tbehe r e ,J e nny, be c a us ei fKe l l yf oundout–Look,Ij us twa ntt os pe nds omet i mewi t hyou.Wi l lyouc omewi t hme ? " Shec o ul df e e lhe r s e l fwe a ke ni ng,f e e lt hes ur f a c ec ont r olme l t i nga wa yl i keat hi nl a ye rofi c ehe a t e d f r ombe l ow.Aga i ns ta l lr e a s on,s hewa nt e dt obewi t hhi m." Idon' tt r us tyou, "s hehe a r dhe r s e l fs a yi ngbi t t e r l y. " Iknow. "Het ookhe rha nda ndl e dhe rt owa r dt hef r ontdoor ,a si fhekne ws hewoul dgo. J e nni f e rdi dn' tpr ot e s t .Shea l l owe dhi mt ot a kehe routt ohi sr e nt e dc a r ,whi c hwa sagl e a mi ngwhi t e Fe r r a r i ,a ndputhe ri nt ot hepa s s e nge rs e a t .Shewa t c he dhi m movea r oundt hec a ra ndgr a c e f ul l yf i thi sbi g f r a mebe hi ndt hewhe e l . " Whydobi gme na l wa ysdr i ves por t sc a r s ? "s hea s ke di dl y. Da nes e nthe raf a i nts mi l ea shes t a r t e dt hepowe r f ulc a ra ndputi ti nt oge a r ." Somema c hot hi ng,I s uppos e . " " Don' tyouknow? "Shewa ss mi l i ngde s pi t ehe r s e l f . " I ' vene ve rt houghta bouti t . "Hegui d e dt hec a routoft hedr i ve wa ya ndont ot hema i nr oa d,he a di ngf or La keCha r l e s ." Pe r s ona l l y,Ij u s tl i kes por t sc a r s .The y' r epowe r f ul ,ma ne uve r a bl e ,f a s t . "Hes e nthe ra not he r gl a nc e ,t hi so nef ul lofi r ony." Some t i me s ,t hea ns we r sa r es i mpl eone s . " " Ands ome t i me st he ya r e n' t . "Shewa t c he dhi sha ndsont hewhe e l ,be a ut i f ula ndpowe r f ul ,r e me mbe r e d t he monhe rbody,movi nghe runbe a r a bl y.Shet r i e dt obl oc kt h os eI ma ge sa nds e ns a t i ons ,t r i e dt oi gnor et he m. I tha dn' tbe e nDane ,s her e mi nde dhe r s e l fgr i ml y;i tha dbe e ns he .He rl a c kofc ont r ol .He re mot i onss pi l l i ng

ove r ." Di dyouwi nl a s tni ght ? " " No. " " Wa st ha ti nt e nt i ona l ? " Hes h r ugge ds l i ght l y." Iwa s n' tt r yi ngt ooha r d,i ft ha t ' swha tyoume a n.Iwa ss i z i nghi m up,s t udyi ng hi m. " " Hewon? " Da nenodde d." Hec a meouta he a d. " " Di dhec he a t ? " Af t e ramome nt ,Da nes a i d," Whe nIt ol dyout ha tIknowhowt os pots ome onee l s ec he a t i ng,Ime a nt t ha t .I t ' spa r tofmyr e put a t i ona saga mbl e r .Ima des ur eKe l l ykne wi t .Hedoe s n' tne e dt oc he a t ,J e nny.He ' s good. " Sheha l ft ur ne di nhe rs e a t ,l ooki nga thi m." Be t t e rt ha nyou? "s hea s ke d. " Idon' tknow.Ma ybe .I ' l lf i ndoutt oni ght . " J e nni f e rwa st r yi ngt oc onc e nt r a t eonwha tt he ywe r es a yi ng,f i ght i ngt oi gnor ehe rbody' sr e s pons et ohi s ne a r ne s s .Onl yt hege a rc ons ol es e pa r a t e dt he m,a nds hewa sa l lt ooc ons c i ousofhi sbi g,powe r f ulbodys o c l os e .Buti twa sj us tame mor y;s hedi dn' tr e a l l yf e e la nyt hi ng,s het hought ." Doyouha vet obe a thi m?Ime a n, i st ha tpa r toft hepl a n? " Da nef r owne d." Ke l l y' sha ds omebus i ne s sl os s e st hepa s tye a rors o.He ' sc l os et oba nkr upt c y.Li kemos t ga mbl e r s ,hebe l i e ve shec a nwi ne nought os t r a i ght e nouthi sf i na nc e s .He ' sa l s os ma r te nought oknowt ha tI t woul dn' tbewi s et ot r ya ndwi nt ha tmuc hf r omhi sus ua lpoke rc r oni e s ;hegoti nt ot hene i ghbor hoodt ha twa y, buti fheke ptbe a t i ngt he m. . . " " Noo newoul dwa ntt opl a ya ga i ns thi m? " " Exa c t l y. " " Whi c hi swhyyou' r ehe r e , "s hegue s s e d. Noddi ng,Da nes a i d," Anol df r i e ndofKe l l y' si sahi ghs t a ke spoke rpl a ye r ,wor l dc l a s s .Ke l l yc a l l e dhi m a ndmor eorl e s sa s ke dhi mt of i nda not he rga mbl e rwi t hmone yt ol os e .Hec a l l e dme ;we ' vepl a ye da ga i ns te a c h ot he rdowni nMi a mi .Ic a meouthe r ewi t hhi m,a ndt ot ha tpa r t yni ghtbe f or el a s t ,s pe c i f i c a l l yt obei nt r oduc e d a ndi nvi t e dt opl a ypoke rwi t hGa r r e t tKe l l ya ndhi sgr oup. " " I s n' tt ha tunus ua l ? "s hea s ke d." Toc omea l lt hi swa y? " " No.Myr e put a t i oni st ha tI ' l lgoa nywhe r ef oragoodga me .The r ea r ea boutadoz e nofusl i ket ha t ,s c a t t e r e da r oundt hec ount r y. " " Wi t hmone yt ol os e . " Da negl a nc e da the ra ga i n,he a r i ngt h enot ei nhe rvoi c et ha tr e s ona t e dwi t hbi t t e r ne s s .The nhel ooke d a he a d,c onc e nt r a t e dondr i vi ng,a ndwhe nhes poke ,heke pthi svoi c ede l i be r a t e ." Ke l l y' sf r i e ndc a l l e dmel a s t we e k;Iwa sbus ya tt het i me .The nIc a l l e dhi mba c ka ndt ol dhi mIwa si nt e r e s t e d. " " Be c a us eoft hef r i e ndwhowa nt e dyout oc he c kKe l l y' ss a f e ? "s hea s ke d,t r yi ngt oke e phe rvoi c ee ve n. " Ye s .She ' da l r e a dyf oundoutKe l l ywa sahi ghs t a ke spl a ye r ,a ndt houghtIc oul dge ti nt he r ee a s i e rt ha n a nyonee l s es hekne w.I twa sagoodi de a ,a ndi twor ke d. " She ?Thebr une t t e ,J e nni f e rt hought ,butdi dn' ta s k." Andt he nyouf oundt hepl a t e . " " Une xpe c t e dl y,ye s . " J e nni f e rwa ss i l e ntf oraf e wmome nt s ,wor ki ngt hr ought hei nf or ma t i on." Soyourpl a nnowi st os t r a i n Ke l l y' sr e s our c e ss ot ha theha st opr i ntc ount e r f e i tmone y? " " Hed i dn' tpa s sa nyl a s tni ght ,buthedoe s n' tha vemuc hc a s honha nd;heke e psi ti nt ha ts a f e .I fIc a n pus hhi mr i ghtt ot hewa l l ,ma kehi m be ta l lt hec a s hheha sa ndt he nwi ni tf r om hi m,he l lha vet odo s ome t hi ng. " " Hec oul dbepr i nt i ngt hemone ynow. " Da nehe s i t a t e d,t he ns a i d," I fs o,we l lknowwhe r et hepr e s si shi dde n.Iha veapa r t ne rwor ki ngwi t hme , J e nny.He ' swa t c hi ngBe l l eRe t our .Oneofuswi l lha veKe l l yunde robs e r va t i onc ons t a nt l y. " J e nni f e rs t a r e da thi m,ba f f l e d." Da ne ,noneoft hi sma ke ss e ns e . " " Doe s n' ti t ? " Shef e l tt e ns e ,unc e r t a i n." No.I t ' s–i t ' soutofc ha r a c t e rf oraga mbl e rt obedoi ngwha tyou' r edoi ng.Eve n apr of e s s i ona lga mbl e r .I fwha tyou' vet ol dmei st het r ut h,t he nyouha vet obes ome t hi ngmor e .Some t hi ng e l s e . " Hewa ss i l e ntf oraf e wmome nt s ,t he ns wor eunde rhi sbr e a t ha ndt ur ne dt hec a rof ft hema i nr oa dne a ra pa r k,f i na l l ys t oppi ngI ta ndt ur ni ngt hee ngi neof f .I nt hedi s t a nc e ,t he yc oul ds e et heCa l c a s i e uRi ve r . Da neha l ft ur ne dt owa r dhe r ." J e nny,Iwa ntyout ounde r s t a nds ome t hi ng.I ' maga mbl e r .Byna t ur e ,by i nc l i na t i on,a ndbypr of e s s i on.I ' vewona ndl os tmor et ha nonef or t une .Thi swe e kIc oul ds t a ket wohous e s ,a c ondo,a ndaya c ht–i nawe e k ,Ima ywe l lbet hene xtbe s tt hi ngt obr oke .Tha t ' saf ac t ,a ndnot hi nge l s ec a n c ha ngei t .Be l i e vet ha t .I t ' st het r ut h. " " Butt he r e ' smor e , "s hes a i d,powe r f ul l yf e e l i ngt het r ut hofhe rwor ds . Hes i ghe dr oughl y." The r e ' sa l wa ysmor e .Ove rt heye a r s ,I ' vema deanumbe roff r i e ndsi nt he i nt e l l i ge nc ec ommuni t y.I t ' snots os ur pr i s i ng;I ' m of t e ni napos i t i ont oknowt hi ngs ,t obea wa r eof–we l l , move me nt sa nds uc h.SoIbe c a mea ni nf or ma t i onbr oke r .Youmi ghts a yi t ' saf r i ngebe ne f i tofbe i ngawor l dc l a s spoke rpl a ye r .Ands ome t i me s ,whe na na ge nta s ksmet oc ul t i va t eac e r t a i npe r s on,t ot r yt oge tapa r t i c ul a r pi e c eofi nf or ma t i on,Ido. " " Thi sf r i e ndofyour s ,s he ' sa na ge nt ? " " Shewa s .Re t i r e dnow,a ndha ppi l yma r r i e d.He rhus ba ndi save r ypowe r f ulma n,a nds ome one ' st r yi ng t oge ta thi m.Thet r a i ll e dt oKe l l y. "

J e nni f e rdr e wade e pbr e a t h." Andyou rpa r t ne r ?He ' sa na ge nt ,i s n' the ? " " Ye s .Andmybe s tf r i e nd. "Da nes mi l e dabi tc r ooke dl y." Iha ve n' te xpl a i ne dt hi smuc ht oa nyonei nt e n ye a r s .Ic a n' tpr ovea nyofi t ,J e nny. " Shenodde ds l owl y." Iknow.ButIbe l i e veyou. " " Why? "hea s ke dc ur i ous l y." I ta l ls oundss ounl i ke l y.I nt e l l i ge nc ea ge nt s ,c ount e r f e i tope r a t i ons , powe r f ulme nwi t hs e c r e te ne mi e s–a ndme ,aga mbl e r ,t hepi vot . " " Ma ybet ha t ' swhyIbe l i e vei t . "Shes mi l e df a i nt l y." Be c a us ei ts oundss ounl i ke l y.I t ' st ooe l a bor a t et obe al i e .Tooi nvol ve d. " " Doe st ha tme a nyout r us tmenow? " " It r us twha tyou' r edoi ng.I tma ke ss e ns e ;I te xpl a i nswhyyou' r ehe r e . " " Buty ous t i l ldon' tt r us tme . " J e nni f e rhe s i t a t e d,s t i l lr e f us i ngt obe l i e vewha the ri ns t i nc t sa ndi nt ui t i oni ns i s t e ds hebe l i e ve :t ha ts he c oul dt r us thi mwi t he ve r ypa r tofhe r s e l f ,e ve nhe rhe a r t .I twa sa bs ur d.I r r a t i ona l ,j us tt her e s i dueofpowe r f ul e mot i onsf r e e dbyhe rownl a c kofc ont r ol ." Idon' tknow, "s hehe a r dhe r s e l fs a yf i na l l y." You' vet ol dmewhat youa r e ,butnotwhoyoua r e .Is t i l ldon' tha vet ha ta n s we r . " " Notoneoft hes i mpl ea ns we r s ,Igue s s . "Het ur ne dhi sga z et owa r dt hewi nds hi e l d,f r owni nga g a i n. " Youa l wa yst hi nkyouknowwhoyoua r e .Unt i ls ome onea s ks .The na l lyouc a na ns we rwi t ha r eaf e wc onc r e t e f a c t s .Wa ntt ohe a rt hos e ? " " Ye s . "Shewa swa t c hi nghi spr of i l e ,l i s t e ni ngt ohi sde e p,be a ut i f ulvoi c e . " Al lr i ght .I ' mt hi r t yf i ve ,bor ni nChi c a goa ndr a i s e dt he r e .Mypa r e nt ss t i l ll i vet he r e .Iha veas i s t e ra nd br ot he r ,bot hyounge r .AndIwor ke dmywa yt hr oughc ol l e gebywa i t i ngt a bl e sa ndpl a yi ngpoke r . " " Doy ouha veade gr e e ? "s hea s ke dc ur i ous l y. Hel ooke da the rwi t has udde ns mi l e . " Ye s .La w. "Hi svoi c ewa sdr y,f ul l ya ppr e c i a t i veoft hei r ony. J e nni f e rha dt os mi l e ." Youwe r ene ve rt e mpt e dt opr a c t i c e ? " . " Notr e a l l y.The r ea r ea l r e a dyt ooma n yl a wye r si nt hewor l d. " " Andawe l c omede a r t hofga mbl e r s ? " " Sk i l l e dga mbl e r s ,ye s . " " Soyouj us tbe c a meone ? " Da newa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns a i ds l owl y," Iwonaf or t une .I ' dbe e nt r yi ngt ode c i dei fIwa nt e dt o pr a c t i c el a w.Wha tIwa nt e dt odowi t ht her e s tofmyl i f e .The nIgoti nvol ve di nahi ghs t a ke sga me .Af r i e nd wi t hal otmor emone yt ha nIha ds t a ke dme .Hes a i dhe ' dputupt hemone y,a ndI ' dke e pha l ft hewi nni ngsi f t he r ewe r ea ny.Hebe l i e ve dIc oul dwi n,a ndIdi d,Ha l ft hewi n ni ngst ur ne doutt obeaf or t une .Ine ve rl ooke d ba c k. " Shega z e da thi m,c ons c i ousofs omee mot i ons hec oul dn' tqui t eputhe rf i nge ron.Wha twa si t ?The f e e l i ngt ha tt he r ewa smor et ot hi s ,t ha tDa newa shol di ngba c ks omevi t a lbi tofI nf or ma t i on.I twa ss ome t hi ng e l us i ve ,a nds hec oul dn' tgr a s pi t ." Nor oot s ? "s hea s ke d. " Ic a r r ymyr oot sa r oundwi t hme . "Hes mi l e df a i nt l y." Nor e gr e t s .J e nny. " " Ha veyoue ve rl os te ve r yt hi ng? " " Eve r yt hi ngIbe t ,ye s .Eve r yt hi ngIha d,no.Tha t ' st hepr of e s s i ona lpa r tofme .I fIl os te ve r yt hi ng ,I ' d ha venot hi ngt or e bui l dwi t h. " " Tha t ' st hewa yyout hi nkofi t ?Re bui l di ng? " " Sur e . " The ywe r es i l e ntf orawhi l e ,J e nni f e rga z i ngoutt hr ought hewi nds hi e l da ndDa newa t c hi nghe r .The n, qui e t l y,hea s ke d," Ar ewegoi ngt ot a l ka boutusnow? " Sher e f us e dt ol ooka thi m.He rs ur f a c ec ont r olwa sf r a gi l ea tbe s t ,a nds hewa sa f r a i dofwha tl a yunde r ne a t hi t .The r ewa st oomuc ht h a twa si ns t i nc t i vea ndwi l d.Andnotr e a l .He rf e e l i ngsc oul dn' tber e a l .Wa r yof whe r et he ymi ghtt a kehe r ,s hedi dn' tt r us tt hef e e l i ngs .She ' dma keaf oolofhe r s e l fa ga i n.I ma gi ni ng– " J e nny? " " Whyme ? "s hea s ke d,s t i l lnotl ooki nga thi m." I twa sve r ys udde n.Ordoyouha veagi r la l ongwi t ha poke rga mei ne ve r yc i t y? " Da nel ooke da the rf a c e ,l ove l ya nds e r i ous ,t he na tt hes l e nde rha ndsl a c e dt i ght l yt oge t he ri nhe rl a p. Thegl os s ys he l lofc a l ms hewor ewa sj us tt ha t ,hekne w.Wh a thedi dn' tknowwa shows her e a l l yf e l ta bout hi m.Mi s t r us t f ul ,c e r t a i nl y.Hec oul dma keh e rwa nthi m,buthewa st ooe xpe r i e nc e dnott oknowt ha tde s i r e c oul de xi s twi t houtde e pe rf e e l i ngs .Het ho ughts hewa sc a ut i ousnow,s t i l ls ur pr i s e da nduns e t t l e dbyhe r e mot i ona ls t or mofye s t e r da y,a ndha dpr oba bl ybe gundoubt i nghe rownf e e l i ngs ,he rr e s pons et ohi m. Andhewa saga mbl e r ,e ve r yt hi ngs hemos tmi s t r us t e d. Hewa i t e dunt i ls hel ooke da thi m,t he ns a i d," Idi dn' tpl a nonyou.Is houl dn' te ve nbewi t hyou.J e nny. ButIc oul dn' ts t a ya wa y. "Hehe s i t a t e d,t he na dde dha r s hl y," IknowI ' mt hel a s tma ni nt hewor l dyouwa ntt o ge tI nvol ve dwi t h.Igue s syoud i dn' tpl a nonmee i t he r . " " No,Idi dn' t . "Ca ughta ga i nbyhi se ye s ,s hec oul dn' tl ooka wa y." Idon' tknowwha tyouwa ntf r omme . " Da ner e a c he douts l owl ya nds moot he das t r a ndofpa l egol da wa yf r om he rc he e k.Shewor ehe rha i r l oos e l yt oda y ,f a l l i ngove rhe rs h oul de r sl i kes i l k,a ndhi sha nds l i da r oundt ot hes of tna peofhe rne c k,unde rt he wa r mwe i ghtofi t .Hec oul df e e lhe rt r e mbl e , a ndhi sownbodyt e ns e di na ni ns t a ntr e s pons e . " Wha tc a nIs a yt ot ha t ? "hemur mur e d . " Thet r ut h. "He rvoi c ewa shus ky,a l mos tapl e a . Da nehe s i t a t e d,buthedi dn' tda r et e l lhe rhowhef e l t .Notye t–i fhee ve rc oul d.I tmi ghtt ur noutt obe s ome t hi ngs h ewoul dne ve rwa ntt ohe a rf r om hi m." Iwa ntac ha nc e .Tha t ' sa l l .J e nny.Webot hknowt he r e ' s s ome t hi ngbe t we e nus .Al lIwa nti sac ha nc et of i ndoutwha ti tI s . "

I twa s n' tr e al .J e nni f e rt houghtwi l dl y,f e e l i nghe r s e l fdr a wns l owl yt owa r dhi m.Thos ef e e l i ngsof ye s t e r da y...Butt he ywe r er i s i ngI ns i dehe ra ga i n,wi t hnot hi ngbuthi mt ot r i gge rt he m,nopr e vi ousout bur s tt o bl a s the rc ont r oli nt os pl i nt e r s . Whe nhi sl i pst ouc he dhe r ss hewa nt e dt ohol dhe r s e l fs t i f f l y,buti twa si mpos s i bl e .Thec ons ol es e pa r a t e dt he mbe l owt hewa i s t ,a ndDa nema denoe f f or tt opul lhe ruppe rbodya ga i ns thi s .Hi sr i ghtha ndr e ma i ne d c ur l e da r oundhe rne c k,a ndhi sl e f tha ndr e s t e dge nt l yove rbot hhe r s .Heki s s e dhe rwi t houtf or c e ,as l ow, gr a dua l l yde e pe ni ngs e duc t i on. J e nni f e rc oul dn' tf i ghtt hes e ns a t i ons–orhi m.Ands hec oul dn' tde ny,t hi st i me ,t ha thei gni t e dt hef e e l i ngsi ns i dehe r . Thes l owpr obi ngofhi st ongue ,as e c r e tc a r e s s ,f i l l e dhe rs e ns e swi t hbui l di nghe a t ,a nds hewa ss wa y i ng t owa r dhi mwi t houtt hought .Shewa nt e dhi m,a squi c kl ya st ha t ,a sc e r t a i na ss heha dbe e nbe f or e .She• wa nt e d hi m,a nddi dn' tc a r ewhe r et he ywe r eorwha tt omor r owwoul dbr i ng. Ar oughs ounde s c a pe dDa newhe nhi sl i psl e f the r s ,a ndbot hhi sha ndsc uppe dhe rf a c ewa r ml y." You s e e ? "hemur mur e dhus ki l y." Ne i t he rofusc a ni gnor et hi s ,J e nny. " Shes t a r e di nt oda r kl ypur pl ee ye s ,gotl os tI nt he m,a ndma det heonl yde ni a ll e f tt ohe r ." I t ' sj us tc he mi s t r y, "s hewhi s pe r e d." Ic a n' tf e e la nyt hi ngmor et ha nt ha t .Notf oryou! "Shewa nt e dt or e c a l lt hewor ds I mme di a t e l y,buti twa st ool a t e . Hi sf a c epa l e d,a ndDa ner e l e a s e dhe rI ns t a nt l y,dr a wi nga wa yf r omhe rbot hphys i c a l l ya nde mot i ona l l y. Hes a tga z i ngt hr ought hewi nds hi e l df oramome nt ,t he ns i l e nt l ys t a r t e dt hec a ra ndt ur ne dt he mba c kt owa r dhe r hous e . " You' r eaga mbl e r , "s hes a i ds of t l y,he re nt i r ebodya c hi ng,e mot i onsi nt ur moi l . " Iunde r s t a nd.I t ' sa l lr i ght .J e nny. "Hi svoi c ewa sve r yqui e ta nds t e a dy." Ikne wt heoddswe r ea ga i ns t me . " J e nni f e rc oul dn' tt a kehe re ye sof fhi sf a c e ,s omepa r tofhe rs hoc ke dt os e et ha ti tme a nts omuc ht oh i m. Ands omepa r tofhe rwa sbl e e di ng,be c a us es heha dc uthe r s e l fwi t ht hes a mekni f es heha dus e dt oc uthi m." I c a n' the l pi t , "s hes a i d,be c a us es heha dt os a ys ome t hi ng. " Iknow.Ne i t he rofusc a nhe l pbe i n gwha twea r e . "Hes mi l e df a i nt l y,a nds a i dwi t hal i ght ne s st ha t di dn' thi det hehur tbe ne a t hi t ," Is houl dha vebe c omeal a wye r . " Shewa sl os i ngs ome t hi nga ndkne wi t ,a ndt hepa i noft ha tl os swa swor s et ha na nyt hi ngs he ' df e l tbe f or e . Butt het r a umaofhe rf a t he r ' sga mbl i ngha da f f e c t e dhe rt oode e p l yt obee a s i l ys e ta s i de ,a nds hekne wt ha tt oo. Af t e ramome ntofs i l e nc e ,Da nes a i d,s t i l lwi t hde c e pt i vel i ght ne s s ," It hi nkIkne wt he r ewa snoc ha nc e whe nIs a wyours ke t c hofyourf a t he r .The r e ' sal otofl ovei nt hepi c t ur e .Andagr e a tde a lofbi t t e r ne s s .Wa si ta de l i be r a t ec hoi c e ,t hec a r dsf a nne doutont het a bl ei nf r ontofhi m? " " Ye s , "s hea ns we r e ds of t l y. Da nenodde d." It houghts o.Apos s i bl er oya lf l us h,I ns pa de s ,wi t honec a r df a c e down. " Shes a tve r ys t i l l ,wa t c hi nghi m,a f r a i dt ha tI fs hemove da ta l l ,s he ' ds ha t t e r .Thet e ns i onbe t we e nt he m wa ss ome t hi ngs t a r ka nda l i ve ,c ont a i ne donl ybyt hi sunna t ur a l ,de c e pt i vec a l mt he ybot hwor el i kes hi e l ds .I t wa svi s i bl ei nt hewhi t e ne s sofhi sha ndsa st he ygr i ppe dt hes t e e r i ngwhe e l ,i nhe rownt i ght l yl a c e df i nge r s l yi ngs os t i l li nhe rl a p.The ywe r ebot hc ons c i ousofi t ,bot hhol di ngi ta tba ywi t hqui e twor dsa ndmot i onl e s s bodi e s ,a si ft or e l e a s ei tme a nts ome t hi ngt e r r i bl e . J e nni f e rf e l the rwhol ebodyr e s i s tt hevol i t i onofhe rmi nd,f e l the rbr e a t hi nggr owmor er a gge d,he rhe a r t pounde ve nha r de r .Al lhe rs e ns e sc r i e doutt oi gnor er e a s ona n dgi vei nt ot hemor es i mpl er e a l i t yofne e da nd de s i r e .Sher e f us e dt ol ovehi m, buts hene e de dhi m,wa nt e dhi m,a ndhe rbodyI ns i s t e dt ha twa se noughf ornow. Shewoul dne ve rha vebe l i e ve dt ha ts hec oul dwa ntama nwi t hs uc hbl i ndI nt e ns i t ye ve nwhi l eknowi ng– k nowi ng–t ha tt hene xts t e pf or wa r dmi ghtbr i ngonl ypa i n. " Te l lmega mbl i ngdoe s n' tma t t e rt oyou, "s hewhi s pe r e ds u dde nl y,una bl et os t opt hewor ds ." Te l lme youc a ngi vei tupwi t houthe s i t a t i on. " " Ic a n' t . "Hi svoi c ewa sbl e a k." Iwon' tl i et oyoua boutt ha t ,J e nny.Ia mwha tIa m. " " Andyouwon' tc ha nge ? " Hehe s i t a t e d." I t ' st ool a t ef ormet oc h a nge .Iwa ntt opr omi s eI ' dne ve rhur tyout hewa yyourf a t he rdi d, butwha t ' st ha tpr omi s ewor t hwhe nyoudon' tt r us tme ? " " Iwa ntt ot r us tyou.But. . . " Da nenodde dj e r ki l y,a si fhi sownc ont r olwa sdi s s ol vi ng." Iknow.Youc a n' tt r us tmebe c a us eI ' ma ga mbl e r ,a ndIc a n' tbea nyt hi nge l s e . " " I thur ts omuc h,wha tDa ddi dt ous , "s hes a i duns t e a di l y,t r yi ngt oe xpl a i nwha thea l r e a dys e e me dt o unde r s t a nd." Mywhol el i f ec ha nge d.Be l l eRe t ourwa smor et ha nj us thome ,a ndwhe nhel os ti ts oda mne d e a s i l ya ndqui c kl y,i ts e e me da si f. . .a si fnot hi ngc oul dbef or e v e r .Asi ft he r ewa snoc e r t a i nt yl e f t .Onet ur nof ac a r d,a nda l lmyr oot swe r ec u ta wa yf r omme . "Shec a ughthe rbr e a t h,t r yi ngnott oc r youtwi t ht hepa i ns he f e l t ." Ic a n' tr i s kt ha tha ppe ni nga ga i n.I ' dne ve rs ur vi vei ta ga i n! " J e nni f e rha dn' tr e a l i z e ds hef e l tt ha twa y;i twa ss ome t hi ngs heha dhi dde nf r omhe r s e l f .Butheha ddr a wn i toutofhe r ,j us ta sheha ddr a wnouts omuc he l s e .Andhewa se ve nmor epa l enow,hi swhi t ef a c emor es t i l l , a si fe ve r yhe a r t f e l twor ds heha dt hr owna th i mha dbe e nakni f e . " Al lr i ght , "hes a i ds of t l y." Al lr i ght .J e nny. " Shet r i e dt oga i nc ont r olofhe r s e l f ,t obr e a t hede e pl y,buts hec oul dn' t .Shewa sonl yva gue l ya wa r et ha t t he yha dr e a c he dhe rhous e ,t ha theha ds t oppe dt hec a ri nt hedr i ve wa y.Hegotouta ndc a mea r oundt oope nhe r door ,a nds hemove da ut oma t i c a l l yt os t e poutont ot hedr i ve . Butwhe nhec l os e dt hedoora ndt ookas t e pba c ka wa yf r omhe r ,he rf r a i lc ont r olbr oke ,a nds hec oul dn' t j us tl e thi mgo.He ra r mswe nta r oundhi swa i s ta nds hepr e s s e dhe rf a c ea ga i ns thi sc he s t ,hol di ngont ohi m.

Da ne ' sbodywa sr i gi d,hi she a r tpoundi nghe a vi l y,buthi sa r mswe r ege nt l ewhe nt he ys l i ppe da r ound he r . " Da mnyou, "s hewhi s pe r e dr a gge dl y. Hehugge dhe rbr i e f l y,a na l mos tc onvul s i vemove me ntofs t r e ngt ha ndpos s e s s i on,t he nge nt l yf or c e dhe r a r msa wa ya n ds t e ppe dba c kf r o mhe r .Hi ss mi l ewa sonl yaghos toft hec ha r mi ng,c r ooke doneheus ua l l ywor e . " I ' l lc omeba c kwhe ni t ' sa l love r ,a ndt e l lyoua bouti t , "hes a i di nt ha tl i ghtvoi c et ha twa s n' t ." Whe nwef i na l l y ge tKe l l y. " Shenodde d,una bl et os a ya not he rwor d,a ndt ur ne da wa yf r omhi ms t i f f l y,a c hi ng.Ands hedi dn' tl ook ba c ka ss hewa l ke dt ot hef r ontdoor .Sheope ne di ta ndwe nti ns i de ,c l os i ngi tbe hi ndhe ra ndl e a ni ngba c k a ga i ns ti t .Shehe a r dt heFe r r a r ir oa ra wa y,t hef i r s thi ntofvi ol e nc ef r om Da nei mpl i c i ti nt heunc ont r ol l e d s ound. " J e nni f e r ? " Shel o oke dupa sFr a nc e s c aa ppr oa c he dhe r ,wa t c he dhe rmot he r ' sf a c egos t i l li nas udde na wa r e ne s s . " Myba by. . . " J e nni f e rhe a r das of tl a ughe s c a pehe rt hr oa ti nas oundt ha the l dnohumor ." Wha ta m Igoi ngt odo, Ma ma ? "s hemur mur e d." Wha ta mIgoi ngt odonow? " *** I twa ss he e rl uc kDa nedi dn' tge ts t oppe dbyt hehi ghwa ypa t r olonhi swa yba c kt ot hehot e l .Heha ndl e d t hec a rwi t ha ne xpe r tdr i ve r ' sa ut oma t i ca wa r e ne s s ,butma denoe f f or tt ol e a s ht heFe r r a r i ' spowe r f ule ngi ne . Mor et ha nones pe e dl i mi ts i gnqui ve r e di nt hewa keofhi spa s s i ng,a ndmor et ha noneot he rdr i ve rf e l thi sown ve hi c l el e a nt owa r dt hes houl de roft her oa da si fc r i ngi nga wa yf r omt hel ows l ungwhi t ef ur yr oc ke t i ngby. Da nes l owe dt hec a ra tl a s twhe nher e a c he dt hehot e l .Mome nt sl a t e r ,hewa supi nhi ss ui t ewi t hno me mor yofha vi ngpa r ke dt hec a rorwa l ke dt hr ought hel obby.Hepa c e dwi t houtt hought ,a ndwhe nt hephone r a ngmi nut e sorhour sl a t e r ,hepi c ke di tupa nda ns we r e da ut oma t i c a l l y. " He l l o? " " Da ne ,i t ' sRa ve n. "He ri nna t e l yc he e r f ulvoi c ewa sbr i s k." Ha veyougota nyt hi ngye t ? " Heponde r e dt heque s t i onf oramome nt ,unt i lt hes ubme r ge d,pr of e s s i ona lpa r tofhi mf oughti t swa yt o t hes ur f a c eofhi snumbmi nd." Some t hi ng, "hes a i dwi t houti nf l e c t i on,r e me mbe r i ngwha tSkyeha df oundout l a s tni ghtf r omBr a dySe t on." Bu ti tma ybeonl yha l ft hes t or y.I ' dr a t he rnote xpl a i nunt i lIknowf ors ur e .Af e w da ys .It hi nk. " The r ewa sapa us e ,a ndt he nRa ve ns a i d," Ar eyoua l lr i ght ?Yous ound...ve r yt i r e d. " " I ' l lbea l lr i ght , "hes a i d,a ndwonde r e dhowl ongi twoul dbebe f or et ha ts t a t e me ntbe c a met r ue .I fi te ve r di d." Ke l l y' sani ghtowl ;hel i ke st opl a yunt i lda wn. " " I fyous a ys o. "Shedi dn' tr e a l l ys oundc onvi nc e d." Iwa nt e dt or e mi ndyou.I fyoune e dmor emone y–" " No.Ic a n' tus eyourmone ynow,Ra v e n.I ' l lwi r ei tba c kf i r s tt hi ngi nt hemor ni ng. " " Wha t ?Da ne ,t hi swhol et hi ngwa smyi de a ,mypr obl e m.Youc a n' tbe tyourownmone ywhe nyo u' r e he l pi ngme ! " Hedr e wade e pbr e a t ha ndl e ti touts l owl y." I t ' smor et ha nt ha tnow.I tbe c a mepe r s ona lt ome .Iha vemy r e a s ons ,a ndI ' l lt e l lyoua boutt h e ml a t e r .I nt heme a nt i me ,j us ta c c e ptt ha tIha vet obe a tGa r r e t tKe l l ywi t hmy ownmone y. " " Wha ti fyoul os e ? "s hea s ke ds obe r l y . " Iwon' t .Thi st i me ,wi nni ng' st ooi mpor t a nt . " Shewa ss i l e ntf oral ongmome nt ,t he ns i ghe d." Ihopeyouknowwha tyou' r edoi ng,pa l . " " Iknow.I ' l lbei nt ouc hwi t hi naf e wda ys ,Ra ve n. " " Al lr i ght .Goodl uc k. " " Tha nks . " Hec r a dl e dt her e c e i ve ra nds t oodga z i nga tnot hi ng.Hekne w wha thewa sdoi ng.Hewa ske e pi n ga pr omi s e .Noma t t e rwha tha ppe ne dorwha ti tc os thi m,J e nni f e rwoul dha vehe rBe l l eRe t ourba c kwhe ni twa s ove r .

Si x Thec l oc kont hema nt e lt i c ke ds t e a di l yoni nt hequi e toft her oom.Theonl yl i ghtc a mef r omal a mps us pe nde dl ow ove rar oundt a bl ene a rt hewi ndow.Ci ga r e t t ea ndc i ga rs moker os eupwa r dt odi s a ppe a rI nt o da r kne s s ,e a c ht e ndr i lf ol l owi ngt hee ddi e sa ndc ur r e nt sa l wa yspr e s e nti ne ve nt hemos ts t i l lr ooma ndc a us e d nowbya i r c ondi t i oni nga ndt hebr e a t hi ngoft hef i veme ns e a t e di nc omf or t a bl ec ha i r s ,c a r dsi nt he i rha ndsor s t a c ke dne a t l yorf l ungdownha pha z a r dl yont hegr e e nba i z eoft hega met a bl e . Fors e r i o usga mbl e r ss uc ha st he s e ,poke rc hi psr e ma i ne di nac a ddya ndoutoft hewa y:t her ul ewa sc a s h ont het a bl e .St a c kofbi l l s ,a r r a nge da c c or di ngt oi ndi vi dua lha b i t ,l a ybe f or ee a c hma n,a ndi nt hec e nt e roft he t a bl ewa sac a r e l e s she a pofmone y,a l lhundr e ddol l a rbi l l s . Thec ur r e ntpotwa ss ome whe r ei nt hene i ghbor hoodoff i f t yt hous a nddol l a r s . Thr e eme nha df ol de d,a ndt he ys a tba c k,s moki ngors i ppi ngt he i rdr i nks ,wa t c hi ngs i l e nt l ya st her e ma i ni ngt wopl a ye dt heha ndout .I twa saga meofbl uf fnow,a ndha dbe e nf ormor et ha na nhour ,e a c hma n s t e a di l yr a i s i ngt hes t a ke si na ne f f or tt oma ket heot he rl os ehi sne r vea ndf ol d.Ne i t he roft he mha dr e que s t e da ne wc a r ds i nc ei tha dbe c omeadue l .I nf a c t ,Da ne ' sc a r dswe r es t a c ke df a c e downne a rhi sr e l a xe dha nds ,a ndhe ha dn' ts omuc ha sl ooke da tt he mi na l mos th a l fa nhour .Ea c ht i meGa r r e t tKe l l yt os s e das t a c kofbi l l si nt ot he pot ,Da nes i mpl yma t c he d,t he nr a i s e dt hebe t . Andi tbe c a mei nc r e a s i ngl ydi f f i c ul tf orKe l l yt odupl i c a t eDa ne ' sr e l a xe d,a l mos ti ndi f f e r e nta i r .He

t oye dwi t hhi sc a r ds ,put t i ngt he mdowna ndpi c ki ngt he mupadoz e nt i me s .Hel i tc i ga r e t t ea f t e rc i ga r e t t e .Hi s pe c ul i a r l yc ol or l e s se ye spr obe ds ha r pl ya c r os st het a bl ea shes oughtt of i ndahi ntofs t r a i ni nt ha tt r a nqui l , ha nds omef a c e ,s omes i gnofhe s i t a t i onorun c e r t a i nt yi nt hevi vi de ye s . Hef oundnoc r a c ki nDa ne ' sc ompos ur e ,a ndbyt hi sf our t hni ghtofpl a yi nga ga i ns thi m,noma na tt he t a bl ewa ss ur pr i s e dbyi t .Atl e a s tt wooft heme nha dgul pe ds i l e nt l yupondi s c ove r i ngt ha tDa nene ve rr a i s e d t hebe ti ni nc r e me nt sofl e s st ha nf i vehundr e ddol l a r s ,butt he ywe r ewe a l t hyme na nde xpe r i e nc e dga mbl e r s , a ndha da dj us t e d.Wha tt he yc ont i nue dt of i ndi nc r e di bl ewa sDa ne ' sut t e rs t i l l ne s s . Hea ppe a r e dbone l e s si nhi sc ha i r ,r e qui r i ngne i t he rc i ga r e t t enordr i nka sapr op,a ndha vi ngnoa ppa r e nt ne e dt oc ha n gepos i t i ont oe a s et hes t r a i nofs i t t i ngf ors ol ong.Att hebe gi nni ngoft heha nd,whe nt he r ewa s muc hmor ea c t i vi t ya r oundt het a bl e ,hi sde e p,c ha r mi ngvoi c eha dbe e nhe a r da sof t e na st heot he rme n' s ,but onc et hepl a yha dc omedownt oonl yt wo,heha df a l l e ns i l e nt .Anda sKe l l y' st e ns i oni nc r e a s e d,Da nes e e me dt o be c omee ve nmor eunr uf f l e d.Hi sbr i l l i a nte ye sa ppe a r e da ss e r e nea st wi nvi ol e tl a ke s ,hi sl i psr e ma i ne dc ur ve d i nac r ooke dha l fs mi l e ;a ndhi sgr a c e f ulha ndsmove donl yt of l i c kmor emone yi nt ot hepot . I twa sj us ta f t e rmi dni ght ,a ndt he yha dbe e npl a yi ngs i nc ee i ght . Ke l l y,s t i l lwi t har e s pe c t a bl epi l eofmone ybe f or ehi m,ma t c he dDa ne ' sl a s tbi doff ourt hous a nddol l a r s , a ndwa sa bou tt or a i s ebya not he rt hous a ndwhe nhi soppone nt ' sl i f t e dha nds t oppe dhi m. " Be f or eyoude c i det or a i s e , "Da nes a i dl a z i l y," ma ybeyou' dbe t t e rl ooka tt hi s . "Wi t hhi sr i ghtha ndonl y, het ur ne dhi st opc a r df a c e upont het a bl e .I twa st hea c eofdi a monds .Sl owl y,het ur ne dt hene xtt hr e ec a r dsup. I nane a tr ow be f or ehi ml a yave r ypos s i bl er oya lf l us hi ndi a monds ,a c e ,ki ng,que e n,j a c k.Thef i f t hc a r d r e ma i ne df a c e down,a ndDa net a ppe di tl i ght l ywi t ha ni nde xf i nge r . " I ft hi si sat e nofdi a monds , "hes a i d ,s t i l ll a z y," youc a n' tpos s i bl ybe a tme .The r ea r enowi l dc a r dsi n t hega me ,s oyouc a n' tha vef i veofaki nd.Anda l t houghi tma yber e mot e l ypos s i bl et ha tyou' r ehol di ngar oya l f l us hyour s e l f ,i twoul dbeaf i r s tf ormei nt we nt yye a r s .Soyou' dbe t t e rde c i dei fmyhol ec a r di sat e nof di a monds . " Theot he rt hr e eme nl e a ne df or wa r d,t he i re ye smovi ngf r omDa ne ' si mpe r t ur ba bl ef a c et oKe l l y' ss t r a i ne d one .Thi s ,t he ya l lf e l t ,wa spok e ra ti t sbe s t ,aga meofs t r a t e gy.Wa sDa nebl uf f i ngi nac a r e f ul l yc a l c ul a t e d s howofc onf i de nc e ,hi shol ec a r dwor t hl e s s , ordi dheI nde e dhol daha ndKe l l ywoul dn' tbea bl et obe a t ? Al on gmome ntpa s s e d,a ndt he nKe l l ynodde dj e r ki l ya tt hebi dheha da l r e a dypl a c e di nt ot hepot . " Ca l l . " Smi l i ngf a i nt l y,Da net os s e da not he rt e nt hous a ndi nt ot hepot ." Ra i s e , "hes a i d. Ke l l yhe s i t a t e d,butt he nhi sne r vebr oke .Swe a r i ng,hes l a ppe dhi sc a r dsf a c e down." I ' m out , "hes a i d he a v i l y.The n,a si fhec oul dn' the l phi ms e l f ,hes a i d," We r eyoubl uf f i ng? " Da nedi dn' tha vet oa ns we rt ha t ,buthequi t ede l i be r a t e l yf l i ppe dove rhi shol ec a r d.I twa sat hr e eof di a monds . Ke l l yc l os e dhi se ye sbr i e f l y,t he nr e a c he df ort heha ndhe ' da ba ndone da nds howe di tt ot heot he r s .He ha dbe e nhol d i ngas t r a i ght ,ki nghi gh,i nhe a r t sa ndc l ubs .Hewoul dha vewoni fheha dc a l l e dDa ne ' sbl uf f . Thet e ns i oni nt her oom e a s e d,a ndamur murofdi s c us s i onbr okeout .Whi l eDa newa sc ol l e c t i nghi s wi nni ngs ,a st r a nqui la she ' dbe e na l la l ong,Ke l l ygl a nc e da thi swa t c ha ndt he nr os e . " It hi nkwec oul da l lus eabr e a k,ge n t l e me n.St r e t c hyourl e gsi fyoul i ke ,whi l eIge ts omes a ndwi c he s f orus . "Abi ts t i f ff r omha vi ngs a tf ors ol ong,hewa l ke ds l owl yf r omt her oom. Theot he rme nr os ea swe l l ,s t r e t c hi nga ndwa nde r i nga r ound.Some onet ur ne donaf e wot he rl a mps ,s o t ha tt her ooml ooke dmor el i keapa r l ora ndl e s sl i keaga mbl i ngde n.The yl e f tc a r dsa ndmone yont het a bl e , J us ta sDa nedi dwhe nher os ewi t hhi sus ua lgr a c ea nds t r ol l e dc a s ua l l youtoft her oom. " He ' snothuma n, "oneoft heme nmut t e r e dt oa not he r . Outi nt heha l l wa y,Da negr i ma c e df a i nt l ya shehe a r dt hec omme nt ,butdi dn' tpa us eort ur na r ound.And i twa s n' tunt i lher e a c he dt hepor t r a i tga l l e r yt ha thef l e xe dhi ss houl de r st oe a s et hea c hebe t we e nt he m. Wa nde r i ngdownt hel ongha l l wa y,hel ooke da bs e nt l ya tt hepa i nt i ngs .Theonl yi l l umi na t i onI nt hec or r i dor c a mef r om t hepor t r a i t s 'i ndi vi dua ll i ght s ,whi c hwe r ea l wa ysona tni ght .Da neha dma dei tobvi oust ha tt he pa i nt i ngsf a s c i na t e dhi m,t ot hepoi ntt ha tKe l l ywa snol on ge rs ur pr i s e dt of i ndhi m wa nde r i nga l ongt he c or r i dora toddt i me ss t a r i ngI nt e nt l ya tt hepor t r a i t s . Ther e a lr e a s onDa nec a mehe r ewa st ha ti twa sac e nt r a ll oc a t i oni nt hehous e ,a ndape r f e c tpl a c et o ma kec ont a c twi t hSkye .Thi swa st hemos tda nge r oust i mef o rt he m,bot hi ns i det hehous e ,wi t hKe l l y' sr e ma i ni ngs e c ur i t yma nr oa mi nga bout .Da newa s n' te ve ns ur eSkyewoul dbehe r eye t .Heha dpl a nne dt ous ea t l e a s tt hef i r s tf e whour soft hepoke rga me sf ors l e e p,whi l eDa n ec oul dwa t c ht he i rqua r r y. ButDa newa s n' ts ur pr i s e dt ohe a rhi spa r t ne r ' sl owvoi c ej us ta sher e a c he dt hee ndoft heha l l wa y,be c a us eSkyer e qui r e dl i t t l es l e e p, e s pe c i a l l ywhe nt he ywe r ewor ki ng. " Ke l l ys t i l lha s n' tr e pl a c e dSe t on;ha sheme nt i one dhi sl os ts e c ur i t ygua r d? " " I nt e r e s t i ngl y,ye s , "Da ner e pl i e di na ni de nt i c a ls of tt onet ha tc oul dn' tha vebe e nhe a r df r omt hr e ef e e t a wa y." Oneoft heot he rme nc omme nt e dt ha tt he r es e e me dt obeonel e s ss e c ur i t yma n.Ke l l ys a i ds ome t hi ng a bouti tbe i ngunwi s et ohi r er e l a t i ve s . " " Re l a t i ve s ?Da mn,wemi s s e dt ha t . " " Some t hi nge l s e .Ke l l y' sope nl ys c or nf ult ha thi sr e l a t i vef l unke doutwi t hquot e ,s omef e de r a lout f i tup nor t h,e ndquot e .Sowhe nSe t ont ol dyouhewa sc a r r yi ngaba dgedur i nghi sc l ums yf e i nta tJ os hLong,hema y we l lha vebe e nt e l l i ngt het r ut h. " Af t e ramome nt ,Skyes a i d," Ha ge n. " " Tha t ' smybe t .We ' l lf i ndoutf ors ur eonc eweha veKe l l ywr a ppe dupni c e t y. " " Le tmebet heonet ot e l lRa ve ni ft ha t ' st hec a s e , "Skyer e que s t e d.Hes i ghe d." Wes houl dbea boutr e a dy t owi nddownont hi s .Youc oul dha vet a ke nhi mwi t ht ha tha nd, "hes a i d,ha vi ngobvi ous l ybe e nc l os ee nought o

t hepa r l ore a r l i e rt ohe a rwha tha dt r a ns pi r e dt he r e ." Hewoul dha veke ptr a i s i ng. " " Pr oba bl y, "Da nea gr e e di namur mur ,s t a ndi ngwhe r ehewa sa ndga z i nga tt hepor t r a i tha ngi ngbe f or e hi m.Skyewa st ohi sl e f t ,c ompl e t e l yhi dde ni nt heda r kne s sofadoor wa y." Butweha ve n' tf oundt hepr e s sye t , a ndheha s n' tpa s s e da nyphonymone y.Idon ' twa ntt opa ni chi mwi t hj us toneha nd. " " Heh a st obef e e l i ngt hes t r a i n, "Skyeobs e r ve dt hought f ul l y." Howmuc hha veyouhi thi mf ors of a r t oni ght ? " " Fi f t yt hous a nd,mor eorl e s s .Heha dc l os et oahundr e di nhi ss a f et heot he rni ght .Thewa yi ts t a nds s i nc et ha tl a s tha nd,he ' sl os tt wot hi r dsofwha thes t a r t e doutwi t h. " The r ewa sas hor ts i l e nc e ,a ndt he nSk yes a i d," Wewon' tf i ndt hepr e s si nt hehous e ,youknowt ha t .I ' ve a l r e a dyc he c ke dne a r l ye ve r yr o om.You' r egoi ngt oha vet owi na l lt hec a s hhe ' sgot ,a ndf or c ehi mt ol e a dust o i t . " " Ye s .Iknow. " " Wha t ' sonyourmi nd? "Skyea s ke dpe r c e pt i ve l y. Af t e ramome nt ,Da nea ns we r e d," Tomor r owni ght ' sga me–i fIma na get owi ni ta l lt oni ght .Ke l l y' ss ur e t owa nta not he rs hota tme . " " So? " " Idi ds omef i gur i ngt hi sa f t e r noon.I fouri nf or ma t i ononKe l l yi sa c c ur a t e ,hi sonl ya s s e t sa r et hi spl a nt a t i ona ndhous e .Thepl a nt a t i oni st hebi gge s ti nt hi spa r toft hes t a t e ,mor et ha nt hr e ehundr e da c r e s ,mos t l yr i c e a ndt i mbe r .I t ' si nt her e da tt hemome ntbe c a us ehe ' sbor r owe dhe a vi l ya ga i ns ti ta ndt hei nc omej us tba r e l y c ove r st hemor t ga ge .Eve ns o,t hema r ke tva l uei se a s i l yi nt os e ve nf i gur e s ,a ndhec oul de xpe c tt os t a kec l os et o ami l l i onwi t hi tdi s c ount i ngt hemor t ga ge .Thehous ei sc r a mme dwi t ht wohundr e dye a r sofhi s t or y,mos tofi t va l ua bl e ,s oa dda not he rmi l l i ona tt heve r yl e a s t . " Qui e t l y,Skyes a i d," Yourpr omi s et oJ e nni f e r . " Da nenodde d,s t i l lga z i nga tt hepor t r a i tofapr oudl ye r e c tCha nt r yi nt heuni f or m ofaConf e de r a t e s ol di e r ." Ic a nma t c hKe l l y' sa s s e t sunl e s shegoe sbe r s e r ka ndpr i nt saf e whundr e dt hous a ndwor t hl e s sdol l a r s . I nt ha tc a s e ,I ' l lha vet oa c c e ptt he ma tf a c eva l ue ,a nde ve ni fIwi ne ve r ydol l a ront het a bl et oni ght ,Ima ynot ha vee nought of or c ehi mt os t a k eBe l l eRe t our . " Skyes i ghe d." The n,s ome how,we ' vegott opr e ve ntKe l l yf r ompr i nt i nga nymor et ha nahundr e dgr a nd wi t houta l e r t i nghi mt ha twe ' r eont ohi m.You' r ebe t t e rwi t hma c hi ne st ha nIa m;whe nwef i ndt heda mne d t hi ng,you' l lha vet oc r i ppl ei t–s l i ght l y. " " Ands oc a r e f ul l yt ha thewon' tknowi twa st a mpe r e dwi t h?Da mn.I ' dbe t t e rma kes omec a l l st omor r ow. Idon' ts uppos eyouknowa nyonewhoknowshowt oge nt l ydi s a bl eac ount e r f e i tpr e s s ? " " Notof f ha nd,no. " Da nes a i ds ome t hi ngagr e a tde a ls t r onge rt ha n" da mn. " " I t ' syourownf a ul t , "Skyer e mi nde dhi mdr yl y." Youwi l lke e ponma ki ngpr omi s e s . "Wi t hnoc ha ngei n t one ,hea dde d," Spe a ki ngofwhi c h,how' sJ e nni f e r ?Youha ve n' tme nt i one dhe rt hel a s tc oupl eofda ys .Ha ve youe ve ns e e nhe r ? " Da neha dhope dt oa voi dt ha ts ubj e c twi t hSkye ;t hought heme nhepl a ye dpoke ra ga i ns tmi ghtwe l l be l i e vehi sc ompos ur ewa sne a r l yi nhuma n,hi spa r t ne rkne wonl yt oowe l lt he r ewa save r ynor ma l ,f e e l i ngma n be ne a t ht het r a nqui lma s k.ButDa neha dt oa ns we r ,be c a us ei nt he i rl i f e ,t het r ut hwa sa l lt ooof t e npos s i bl eonl y be t we e nt het wooft he m. " No.She ' swi s ee noughnott oge tbur n e dt wi c e , "hes a i df i na l l y,s t e a di l y. " Ar eyoubot hs os ur es hewoul dbebur ne d? "Skyedi dn' ts ounds ur pr i s e d,a si fhe ' de xpe c t e dt hi s . " Shei s n' twi l l i ngt or i s ki t .Ic a n' tbl a mehe rf ort ha t . "Da nes hi f t e dr e s t l e s s l y." Iha vet oge tba c k,or Ke l l ywi l lc omel ooki ngf orme . " " Wa i t . "Skyewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,a ndwhe nhes pokehi svoi c ewa sunus ua l l ys obe r ." I fyouwa l k a wa yf r omhe r ,you' l lne ve rbet hes a me .Ne i t he rwi l ls he . " " Wha ts hef e e l sa bouthe rf a t he r ' sbe t r a ya lr unsde e p.Idon' tknowhowt of i ghti t. . .ore ve ni fIc a n. " " You' dne ve rhur the rt hewa yhedi d. " " HowdoIc onvi nc ehe roft ha t ? " " Anywa yyouc a n.Asl onga syoudo . "Skye ' sl owvoi c e ,c ur i ous l ydi s e mbodi e dbe c a us ehewa shi dde n i nda r kne s s ,mi ghtha vebe e nt h evoi c eDa neha dbe e nt r yi ngt oI gnor es i nc eheha dl e f tJ e nni f e ra the rhous e da ysa go.Thevoi c eur gi nghi mt ot r y,t oke e pt r yi ngunt i lhes ome howf oundawa yt hr ought hewa l lbe t we e n t he m.Heha dt r i e dt oi gnor et hevoi c ebe c a u s ehekne wwha th ewoul dr i s ki nt hea t t e mpt ,a ndt hega mbl e ri n hi mwa swa r y,mi s t r us t f uloft heoddsa ga i ns twi nni ng. Hewoul dha vet or i s ke ve r yt hi ng.Nott hewa yhewoul dwi l l i ngl yr i s kma t e r i a lt hi ngst oke e phi spr omi s et oJ e nni f e r ,butadi f f e r e nt ,f a rmor epa i n f ulr i s k.Hi ms e l f .Eve r yt hi nghewa s ,hi swe a kne s s e sa swe l la shi s s t r e ngt hs ,hi ss e l f doubt sa ndi nne rt or me nt sa l ongwi t hhi sc e r t a i nt i e sa ndc onvi c t i ons .Wi t hhe rownwounds , J e nni f e rwoul dne ve rt r us ta ndbe l i e vei nhi munt i ls hes a whi mc l e a r l y. Lovi nghe r ,Da newa swi l l i ngt oba r ehi ms e l ft ohe r ,buta f t e rs oma nyye a r soft ooma nyga mbl e s ,hewa s ha l fa f r a i ds hewoul ds e enot hi n gwor t hyoft r us torbe l i e fwhe nhef oundawa yt os hi neal i ghtona l lt heda r k pl a c e si nhi ss oul .Andt ha twoul dbenos ur f a c er e j e c t i on,mi s t r us t i nghi mbe c a us ehewa saga mbl e r ,be c a us eof wha thedi d.Tha twoul dbear e j e c t i onofwha thewas ,oft heve r yf ounda t i onofhi m–a ndi twoul dbeonehe ' d ne ve rs ur vi ve . " Iha v et ogo, "het ol dhi spa r t ne rqui e t l y.The n,j us tbe f or ehet ur ne da wa y,hea dde d," Ihopeyou br oughta l ongs omec of f e e ;youma yha veal ongwa t c ha f t e rIl e a vehi mt hemor ni ng. " " Nop r obl e m, "Skyemur mur e d. Da nes t r ol l e dba c kupt heha l lt owa r dt hepa r l or ,me nt a l l ypul l i ngonhi sma s k–a ndf i ndi ngi tl e s sofa

ma s know.The r ewa s ,her e a l i z e d,s ome t hi n gt obes a i df ora c c e pt i ngwha tha dt obe ,e ve ni fi twa spot e nt i a l l y pa i nf ul . Ri s khe l lt owi nhe a ve n.Het houghtt ha tnow,f i na l l y,hewa swi l l i ngt or i s ke ve r yt hi ng. *** I twa spa s tf ourA. M. a ndt heme ni nt hepa r l orha ddi s c a r de dt he i rj a c ke t sa ndl oos e ne dt he i rt i e s .I nt he l a s tt hr e eha nds ,Da neha df ol de de a r l y,ye tt hema j or i t yoft hemone yont het a bl es t i l ll a ybe f or ehi m.Ke l l y' s l uc kha dbe e ni na ndout ;heha dwont hel a s tha ndwi t has ki l l f ulbl uf f ,butha dbe e nf or c e dt or unt hes t a ke sf a r t oohi ghi nor de rt odos o. Da neha dbe e nunobt r us i ve l ywa t c hi ngt heot he rma n,wa i t i ngf orc e r t a i ns i gns ,a ndhes a wt he m now. Ke l l ywa sc l e a r l yf e e l i ngt hes t r a i na ndye t ,l i kes oma nyga mbl e r s ,hec ont i nue dt ogr owmor ei nt e nt ,a l mos t f e ve r i s hl yc e r t a i nt ha tt hene xtha ndwoul dbet hebe s t .Da nekne wt ha tt heot he rme nha r dl ynot i c e dt he i rhos t ' s i nc r e a s i ngde s pe r a t i onbe c a us et hes i gnswe r ea l mos tI mpe r c e pt i bl e ,buta f t e rt we nt yye a r sofc a r dpl a yi ngDa ne s a wt he mc l e a r l y. I twa st i met oma kehi smove ,a ndDa nema dei twi t ht hes ur es ki l la ndt ot a lc onc e nt r a t i onofa pr of e s s i ona l .Het ookt hene xtt woha ndsi nr a pi ds uc c e s s i on ,de l i be r a t e l ywi nni ngwi t hc ol os s a lbl uf f sa nd ma ki ngc e r t a i ne ve r yma na tt het a bl er e a l i z e di t .Byt het hi r dha nd,a f t e rwi nni ngwi t hapa i roft hr e e st ha ta ny oneoft heot he r sa tt het a bl ec ou l dha vebe a t e n,heha dt he mc a ughti nbl i ndde t e r mi na t i on,a ndhekne wI t . Ke l l yde a l t ,a ndDa newa t c he dve r yc a r e f ul l yt oma kec e r t a i nt heot he rma nus e dnot r i c ks .I fheha d, Da ne ' sonl yc hoi c ewoul dha vebe e nt of ol di ns t a nt l yr a t he rt ha nr i s kl os i ng.Butt he r ewe r enot r i c ks ,a ndDa ne f oundhi ms e l fhol di ngt hr e eki n gs ,a na c e ,a ndade uc e ;s i nc et hede a l e r ' sc hoi c eha dma dea c e swi l di nt hi s ga me ,i tme a ntheha df ourofaki nd.Hedi s c a r de dt hede uc e ,a ndi ni t spl a c e .La dyLuc ks mi l i ngbr i l l i a nt l y downonhi m,wa sde a l ta not he ra c e .Heha df i veofaki ndnow,ki ngs .Thewi nni ngha nd. I twa sf a rbe t t e rt ha nheha dhope df or ,a ndhi sonl yt a s kwa st oc ont i nuer a i s i ngt hes t a ke sunt i lhef or c e d Ke l l yt obe ta l lt hec a s hheha d.Hekne wt heol de rma nwa sb l i ndl ybe ntonr e c ove r i nghi sl os s e s ,j us ta st he ot he rme nwe r e ,a l lc a ughti nt hega mbl e r ' sc o mpul s i vedr i vet owi n. The r ewa sar oundofdi s c a r dsa ndne wl yde a l tc a r ds ,a ndt he na l ls e t t l e ddownwi t ht heha ndst he yha d de c i de dt opl a y.Atf i r s ts i ngl ya ndt he ni nI nc r e a s i ngnumbe r s ,hundr e ddol l a rbi l l sf l ut t e r e dt ot hec e nt e roft he t a bl e . " I ' mout , "onema ngr unt e d,t os s i nghi sc a r dsdownbe c a us eheha dnot hi ngl e f tont het a bl et obe t . Te nmi nut e sl a t e r ,as e c ondma nf ol de d.I tha dc omedownt ot hr e epl a ye r s . " Ca l l . Ra i s et hr e ehundr e d. " " Ca l l . Twohundr e dup. " " Ca l l . Anot he rf i ve . " " Da mn.I ' mout . " Twopl a ye r snow,Da nea ndKe l l y.Da newa t c he dt heot he rma nc a l ml ya st he ypl a ye d,va gue l yc ur i ous , a sa l wa ys ,t oobs e r vet hes i gnsofde s pe r a t i on ,ofr e c kl e s s ne s s .Heha ds e e ni tbe f or e ,of t e n,butha dne ve rf e l ti t hi ms e l f .Sa t i s f i e dwhe nhebe a tt heodds ,mi l dl ya nnoye dwhe nhedi dn' t ,Da neha da l wa ysc ons i de r e dpoke rj us t aga me .Heha dmor et ha nonc ebe tmos tofwha theha d,butma t e r i a lpos s e s s i onsha dne ve rme a ntagr e a tde a l t ohi m,s oi nt ha ts e ns ehene ve rbe tmor et ha nhec oul da f f or dt ol os e . AsSk yeha dobs e r ve d,Da nee nj oye dt hega mef orI t sowns a ke ,a ndt houghheha dpe r f e c t e dt he c ompos ur ea nds ki l lofapr of e s s i ona lga mbl e r ,hec oul ds hr ugof fwi nni nga se a s i l ya sl os i ngwi t hl i t t l e I nvol ve me ntofhi se mot i ons .Tha twa shi spr of e s s i ona le dge . Hewa t c he dKe l l ynow,knowi ngt heo l de rma nha dagoodha nds i mpl ybyt hee xc i t e dgl i t t e ri nhi se ye s . Butknowi ngt ha thi sownha ndc oul dn' tbebe a t e nga veDa net hel e i s ur enott owor r ya bouts t r a t e gyort a c t i c s ; a l lheha dt odowa ske e pr a i s i ngt hes t a ke s .Ands i nc eDa nene ve rc ha nge de xpr e s s i on,norga vehi ms e l fa wa y wi t has i ngl emove me ntorma n ne r i s mnoma t t e rwha tki ndofha ndhehe l d,Ke l l yha dnowa yofknowi ngt ha t heha da l r e a dyl os te ve r yc e ntont het a bl e . Thec l oc kont hema nt e lt i c ke dl oudl yi nt het e ns es i l e nc ewhi l et hepi l eofmone ygr e ws t e a di l yhi ghe r . " Ha l fami l l i onont het a bl e , "oneoft heot he rme nmur mur e di naki ndoff a s c i na t i on,ha vi ngobvi o us l y ke ptar unni ngt a l l yoft hemone ybe t . Da negl a nc e da thi m,t he nr e t ur ne dhi sga z et ot hec a r dshewa shol di ng.Heha dme a s ur e dKe l l y' s r e ma i n i ngs t a ke ,a ndkne whi soppone n tha dt we nt yt hous a ndl e f tt obe t ;a sf orhi ms e l f ,heha df i f t yt hous a ndi n c a s h,a ndac a s hi e r ' sc he c ki nh i spoc ke tf ora not he rhundr e dt hous a nd.Hewa swonde r i ngnowhowf a rKe l t y wa swi l l i ngt ogot oni ght .Butt h eonl ya ns we rt ot ha twoul dbet of i ndout . Hes t a c ke dhi sc a r dsf a c e down,s a yi n gpl e a s a nt l y," I t ' sa l mos tda wn;whydon' twef i ni s ht hi supf ort he ni ght ? "Hedr e wt hec a s hi e r ' sc h e c kf r omhi sj a c ke tpoc ke ta ndpl a c e di t ,a l ongwi t ht hef i f t yt hous a ndi nc a s h, i nt ot hepot ." Yourl a s tr a i s eoft e nt hous a nd...a nda not he rhundr e da ndf or t yt hous a nd. " Oneoft heot he rme ngr unt e di ns ur pr i s e–orpe r ha psi na we–butt ha twa st heonl ys ound. Ke l l y' sga z ewa sf i xe dont hemoundofbi l l sf oral ongmome nt ,t he nl i f t e dt oDa ne ' ss t e a dy,unr e a da bl e e ye s ." Ic a n' tc ove rt ha ti nc a s h, "hes a i d,hi svoi c es t r a i ne d." Notwi t hwha tIha veonha nd. " Da nes hr ugge ds l i ght l y,a ndga vehi mt hea c c e pt e dga mbl e r ' sa ns we r ,onet he ya l lunde r s t oodve r ywe l l . " The nyou' dbe t t e rf ol d. " Ke l l yl ooke da tt heha ndhewa shol di ng,t he ns hookhi she a d." Ic a nha vei tbyt omor r owni ght , "hes a i d i na na t t e mpta tc a s ua lc e r t a i nt y." Ge ti tf r ommyba nkl a t e rt oda y. " Tha twa saba l df a c e dl i e ,a ndDa nekne wi t .Atbe s t ,Ke l l yha daf e wt hous a ndl e f ti nhi sba nka c c ount . Wha thedi da ppa r e nt l yha ve ,howe ve r ,we r et heme a nst opr i nthi sownmone y.ButDa neha dnoi nt e ns i onof l e t t i ngonhekne wt ha t .Hes hr ugge da ga i n." I ' l lt a keyourI . O. U.i nt ha tc a s e , "hes a i dc a l ml y. Twomi nut e sl a t e r ,as c r a pofpa pe rwi t hGa r r e t tKe l l y' spr omi s et opa yonehundr e dt we nt yt hous a nd

dol l a r sl a y,a l ongwi t hhi sl a s tt we nt yt hous a ndi nc a s h,i napott ha tnowt ot a l e dove rt hr e equa r t e r sofami l l i on dol l a r s . " Ca l l , "Ke l l ys a i dhoa r s e l y. Da nepi c ke dhi sc a r dsup,f a nne dt h e m out ,a ndl a yt he mf a c e upont het a bl e .Ke l l ys t a r e da si fhe c oul dn' tbe l i e vei t ,whi l ehi suns t e a dyf i nge r sputhi sownc a r d sont het a bl e .Heha dar oya lf l us h,i ns pa de s . I r oni c a l l ye no ugh,heha dus e dawi l da c ei npl a c eoft hea c eofs pa de s–be c a us et ha tha dbe e noneofDa ne ' s wi l dc a r ds . Thes kywa sgr a yi nt hee a s ta st heme nl e f tt hehous e ,t a l ki ngc a s ua l l y,me nwhoc oul dl os et e nsof t hous a ndsofdol l a r se a c ha ndno tmi ndve r ymuc h.Exc e ptf oroneoft he m. Ke l l ywa l ke dDa neoutt ohi sc a r ,a ndhewa sc ompos e di nt hewa yve r yde s pe r a t eme nc a ns ome t i me sbe , e s pe c i a l l yi ft he y' r ega mbl e r swi t ha ni r r a t i ona lbe l i e fi nl uc k.Hewa se ve ns mi l i nga sDa neope ne dt hedoorof hi sFe r r a r ia n dpr e pa r e dt oge ti n. " Iknowweha dn' tpl a nne daga mef ort oni ght , "het ol dDa ne ," buthowa bouti t ?J us tyoua ndme .I t ' l l gi vemet hec ha nc et oge te ve n. " " Fi newi t hme , "Da net ol dhi mc a s ua l l y." I t ' l lha vet obet hef i na lga me ,t hough,wi n,l os e ,ordr a w.Iha ve t obege t t i ngba c kt oMi a mi . " Ke l l ynodde da gr e e a bl y." Sa met i me ,t he n? " " I ' l lbehe r e . "Hegoti na nds t a r t e dt hec a r ,t he nf ol l owe dt hel ong,da r kl a nea wa yf r omBe l l eRe t our . *** J e nni f e rt houghtofr i s ks .Ea c hni ght ,r e s t l e s si nhe rbe d,s het hought .Andf e l t .Some t i me sdur i ngt h os e l ong,l one l yhour s ,s hef i na l l yf a c e dt hei ne s c a pa bl ef a c tt ha twha ts hewa sf e e l i ng,wha tt or me nt e dhe ra l mos t be yondbe a r i ng,wa sonl ypa r t l yc a us e dbyphys i c a lde s i r ef orahe a r t br e a ki ngl yha nds omea ndc ha r mi ngma n. He rbody,s hea c knowl e dge dwi t hbot hr e l i e fa ndpa i n,ha dnotbe c omeas e pa r a t ee nt i t ya pa r tf r omhe rmi nda nd he a r t ,be yondhe rc ont r ol . I twa sonl yt ha the rbody,f r e eoft her e s t r a i nt sofr e a s ona ndbi t t e rme mor i e st ha the l dhe rmi nda ndhe a r t , ha dr e s ponde di ns t a nt l yt oat r ut ht oopr i mi t i vet obede ni e d.Andnow,a l onei nt heda r k,s hef a c e dt ha tt r ut h f ul l y. Shewa sf a l l i ngi nl ovewi t hDa nePr e s c ot t . Andi thur t .Shewonde r e ddi ml yi fs hewoul dha vef e l twi t hs uc hde pt ha ndpowe ri fheha dbe e na di f f e r e ntki ndofma n,a ndkne ws ome howt ha ts hewoul dn' tha ve .Ani r onyofl i f e ,pe r ha ps ,oroff a t et ha ts he , wi t ha l lhe rmi s t r us ta ndbi t t e r ne s st owa r dga mbl e r s ,woul df a l lhe l pl e s s l yi nl ovewi t hone . He rmot he rkne wf r oml onge xpe r i e nc eofhe rda ught e rt ha tJ e nni f e rwoul dr e s i s tI nt e r f e r e nc e ;s hewa s boundbyhe rownna t ur et of i ghthe rwa yt hr oughhe re mot i onsa l one .Buts het a l ke dt ohe rqui e t l ywhe n J e nni f e rha dr e t ur ne df r omhe ra f t e r noonwi t hDa nes os ha ke ns hec oul dha r dl yt hi nk. Fr a nc e s c a ,wi t hhe ra c ut epe r c e pt i onofe mot i ons ,di dn' the s i t a t et opi npoi ntt her ootofhe rda ught e r ' s c onf us i on." Myba by...youmus tobe yt hegr e a t e s tr ul eofl i f e .Donotant i c i pat epai n.I ti sapa r tofl i f e ,a ndof l ove .Buti fyouwa i tf ori t ,f e a r f ula ndne r vous ,t he nyoubl i ndyourhe a r tt ot hej oyofl ove . " " Wha ti fi tha ppe ne da ga i n? "J e nni f e rha da s ke d." Da ne ' saga mbl e r ,he–" " Doy oul ovet hi sma n? " " I–It hi nks o.Idi dn' twa ntt o,but–" I nt e ns e l y,Fr a nc e s c as a i d," Tr us tyourl ove .Andt r us thi m.Youmus tt r us t ,J e nni f e r ,oryourdoubtwi l l de s t r oyyoubot h. " St r uggl i ngt ol a yt hos el a s tdoubt st or e s t ,J e nni f e rf i na l l ya s ke dhe rmot he raque s t i ons heha dl onge dt o a s kf orye a r s ." Wha ta boutyou,Mot he r ?Howc a nyous t i l lf e e ll i ket ha ta f t e rwha tDa ddi dt ous ? " Fr a nc e s c as mi l e dge nt l y." Weha dt we nt yye a r st oge t he r ,myba by.Hel ove dme ,a ndhema demeha ppy. Shoul dIs t opl ovi nghi mnow,ors t opbe l i e vi ngi nl ove ,be c a us et hee ndi ngwa sapa i nf ulone ?No. " " Hel o s tyourhome , "J e nni f e rwhi s pe r e d. " Hel os thi ms e l f .Ruf uswa ss i c k,J e nn i f e r .Idonotbe l i e vet ha tyourma nha st ha ts i c kne s s .ButIdonot know.Nordoyou.J us ta syoudonotknowhowma nyha ppyye a r sl a ya he a dofyou.The r ei sl i t t l ec e r t a i nt yi n l i f e ,s ot he r emus tbec e r t a i nt yi nl ove .Gi vea l lyourhe a r tt ot hi sma n–orgi venoneofi t .Anyt hi ngl e s swi l l onl yhur tyoubot h. " J e nni f e rt houghta boutt ha ta st heda y spa s s e d.Buthe re mot i onswe r ej umbl e da ndunc e r t a i n.St i l l ,s he ha dt or e a c hs omeki ndofunde r s t a ndi ng,s omepe a c ewi t hhe r s e l f .Shewa sf a l l i ngi nl ovewi t ht hel a s tma ns he s houl dha ve ,a ndt ha twa ss ome t hi ngs heha dt of a c ea ndde a lwi t h. Butt heda yspa s s e d. Hepr obabl yhasl e f tany way ,s her e f l e c t e dt i r e dl ya ss hes howe r e da nddr e s s e d.I twa sba r e l ya f t e re i ght i nt hemor ni ng,a nds heha dme tDa nel e s st h a nawe e kbe f or e ;s heha dn' ts e e nhi mi nda ys .Now,i nt hes i l e nc e oft hehous e ,he rmot he rs l e e pi ng,J e nni f e rwe ntt ot ur nont hea ut oma t i cc of f e ema ke ra ndt he nt oge tt he mor ni ngpa pe r . Thewhi t eFe r r a r iwa spa r ke di nt hedr i ve wa y. Shedi dn' tnot i c ei tunt i ls hes t r a i ght e ne df r om pi c ki ngupt hene ws pa pe r ,a ndbyt he nDa neha dgot t e n outa ndwa sc omi ngt owa r dhe r .Shes t oodpe r f e c t l ys t i l l ,hol di ngt her ol l e duppa pe rwi t hbot hha nds ,s t r ongl y a wa r eofas udde nl yr a c i nghe a r t . " Idi dn' tknowi fyou' dbeupye t , "hes a i dqui e t l ywhe nher e a c he dhe r . J e nni f e rf e l thungr y,s t a r vi ng,a nds hec oul dn' ts t opl ooki nga thi m.Odd,s heha df or got t e nhow i nc r e di bl yha nds omehewa s ,butt hos ee ye s ,l i kenones he ' de ve rs e e nbe f or e...t hos ee ye ss her e me mbe r e ds o we l l ." I ' ma ne a r l yr i s e r . "s hema na ge dt os a y." Youa r et oo,Igu e s s . " Hes hookhi she a ds l i ght l y." Notr e a l l y.Ius ua l l yha vemor el a t eni ght st ha ne a r l ymor ni ngs .Thega me

j us tbr okeupaf e whour sa go. " Sot hat ' swhyhe ' she r e ." I t ' sove r ,t he n? "s hea s ke d. Hekne wwha ts hewa sa s ki ng." No.Notqui t e .Onemor ega met oni ght ,a ndi twi l lbe .ButIwa nt e dt os e e you.Wi l lyouc omeha vebr e a kf a s twi t hme ? " J e nni f e rhe s i t a t e d,f i ght i nghe r s e l f ." Tha twoul dn' tbeve r ywi s e ,woul di t ? " Da nes mi l e dc r ooke dl y." No. " Tomo r r ow,s het hought ,he ' dbegone ." Al l–a l lr i ght .Le tmel e a veanot ef ormymot he r . " Fi vemi nut e sl a t e r ,s hef oundhe r s e l fba c kI nt hegl e a mi ngwhi t es por t sc a ra ndhe a di ngf orLa keCha r l e s . Unwi l l i ngt ol e tas i l e nc egr owbe t we e nt he m,s heve nt ur e d," Ar e n' tyout i r e d? " Hes hr ugge d." No,I ' mus e dt ol a t eni ght s .I ' l lc a t c haf e whour s ' s l e e pl a t e rt oda y. " Ca t c h,s het houghtva gue l y.Some t hi ngont her un,s ome t hi nge l us i ve .I tbot he r e dhe r .Andhewast i r e d, s her e a l i z e d,de s pi t ehi swor ds .The r ewe r enoobvi ousphys i c a ls i gns ,buts hec oul ds e ns es ome t hi ngf i ne l y hone di nhi m,a si fs omes ur f a c epr ot e c t i onh a dbe e nwor na wa ybys t r a i n. Af t e ramome nt ,s hes a i d," Whowonl a s tni ght ? " " Idi d. "Hewa sma t t e r of f a c ta bouti t . " Di dKe l l yc he a t ? " Da newa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns hookhi she a d." No.Andhel os tagr e a tde a ll a s tni ght .J e nny.Soi f c he a t i ngwe r eaha bi twi t hhi m,hewoul dha vedonei t . " Al i t t l et i ght l y,s hes a i d," Ar eyous a yi nghedi dn' tc he a twhe nhewonBe l l eRe t our ? " " I ' ms a yi nghepr oba bl ydi dn' t . "Da ne ' svoi c ewa ss t e a dy." Me nwhoc he a ta tc a r dst e ndt oma keah a bi t ofi t .Ke l l yobvi ous l ydoe s n' tdot ha t .He ' sj us tave r ygoodpl a ye r . " J e nni f e rl ooke dbl i ndl yt hr ought hewi nds hi e l d.Sos hewa sl e f twi t houte ve nt ha t ,f a c i ngt heknowl e dge t ha the rhomeha dbe e nf a i r l yt a ke na wa yf r omhe r ." Di dyouc he a tt owi nl a s tni ght ? " " No. " Tha ta ns we rs ounde dal i t t l et i r e d,s her e a l i z e d,a nds hec oul dn' tl e a vei t ." I ' ms or r y.I t ' sj us tt ha tIc a n' t f or ge twha tyous a i d.Tha t ,i ft hes t a ke swe r ehi ghe nough,youpr oba bl ywoul d. " Da newa ss i l e ntf oraf e wmi nut e s ,u nt i lhet ur ne dt heFe r r a r lI nt ot hepa r ki ngl otofar e s t a ur a nta nd s t oppe d.The nhes hutof ft hee n gi nea ndha l ft ur ne dt ol ooka the r ." Howhi ghi shi ghe nough?Tha t ' swha tyou a s ke donc e .I ' vepl a ye dwhe nt hes t a ke swe r ehi ghe rt ha nyouc a ni ma gi ne .ButIne ve rl os ts i ghtofwha tIwa s doi ng.I t ' sj us tagame . J e nny, "hes a i ds of t l y. Shel o oke da thi mmut e l y. " J us taga me .Aga meofc a r ds .Aga meofs ki l la ndt a c t i c sa ndbl uf f .St opda mni ngmebe c a us eIha ppe n t obegooda ti t . " " Howc a ni tbej us taga met oyou? "s hea s ke d,t r yi ngt ounde r s t a nd." You' vet ol dme ,mor et ha nonc e , t ha tyou' r eaga mbl e r ,apr of e s s i o na l . " " Ye s ,Ia m.Butt heve r yf a c tt ha tIamapr of e s s i ona ls houl da s s ur eyout ha tIwoul dne ve rr i s ka nyt hi ngI c a r e da bouti nagame .Woul dac a r pe nt e rl i vei naba dl ybui l thous e ?Ar a c ec a rdr i ve rge tI nt oac a rhekne w c oul df a l la pa r tonhi m?Woul dyou.a na r t i s t ,de l i be r a t e l yc or r uptyourt a l e nt s ? " " You' r ec ompa r i nga ppl e sa ndor a nge s . " Da ner e a c he df oroneofhe rha nds ,hol di ngi ts t r ongl yi nhi sown." No,I ' mnot .J e nny,yoube l i e vet ha t be c a us eyourf a t he rl os te ve r yt hi ngi naga me ,yourge t t i ngi nvol ve dwi t hmei ss ome howada nge rt oyou.Th a tI c oul dhur tyout hewa yhedi d .Butyou' r ewr ong.You' r et heonec ompa r i nga ppl e sa ndor a nge swhe nyou c ompa r eyourf a t he rt ome .Ama t e urga mbl e r sa r er e c kl e s s .Pr of e s s i ona l sa r e n' t . " " Yous a i dt ha te ve r yga mbl e rkne woneda yt hes t a ke smi ghtbee ve r yt hi ng. "Sheke pthe rvoi c ee ve n. Hec a r r i e dhe rha ndt ohi sl i psa ndhe l di tt he r ef orabr i e fmome nt ,ga z i ngs t e a di l yi nt ohe re ye s ,t he n he l dhe rha ndi nbot hhi s ." Tha t ' st hepoi nt .J e nny.Toa na ma t e urga mbl e r ,e ve r yt hi ngi se ve r yt hi ng;he ' l ls t a ke a nyt hi nghec a nc a l lhi sown,i nc l udi nghi shomea ndhi ss e l f r e s pe c t .Butt oapr of e s s i ona l ,e v e r y t hi ngi sonl y wha thec a na f f or dt ol os e ,a ndt ha tne ve ri nc l ude sahome–ora nyha r mt os ome onehel ove s . " J e nni f e rc oul df e e lhi st e ns i ona swe l la she rown,buts hewa ss t i l lt r yi ngt or e a c ha ne mot i ona lunde r s t a ndi ngofwha thewa ss a yi ng.He rmi nda c knowl e dge dhi sme a ni ng,buthe rhe a r tr e me mbe r e dt hepa i nofhe r f a t he r ' sbe t r a ya l . " Theve r ys ki l l st ha tma demepr of e s s i ona lr ul eoutt hepos s i bi l i t yt ha tIwoul de ve rbe twha tIc oul dn' t a f f or dt ol os e .J e nny,t ome ,i t ' sagame .At e s tofs ki l la ndc onc e nt r a t i on.I fi te ve rs t opsbe i ngaga me ,i ft he ne xtt ur noft hec a r dme a nsmor et omet ha nt het e s toft hos et r a i t s ,t he ni t ' l lbet hel a s tt i meIr i s ka nyt hi ng. " " Howc a nyoubes os ur e ? " " Af t e rt we nt yye a r s ?Twe nt yye a r s .J e nny.Pl a yi ngc a r dsf orf un,f orpr a c t i c e ,f ori nf or ma t i on,f orbus i ne s s .Andi na l lt ha tt i me ,i twa sonl yaga meIus e d.Ne ve raga met ha tus e dme .I tne ve rme a ntmor e . " " The nwhyc a n' tyous t op? " " I ' vebe e na s ki ngmys e l ft hes a met hi n gdur i ngt hel a s tf e wda ys .Andt hea ns we ri sc ompl i c a t e d. " " Youwon' tt e l lme ? " Da nehe s i t a t e d,wa t c hi nghe rwi t hr e s t l e s se ye s ." I st her e a s ons oi mpor t a nt .J e nny?I tdoe s n' tc ha ngea nyt hi ng.I nawa yi tha st odowi t hs ome t hi ngwet a l ke da boutbe f or e .Honor ,i nt e gr i t y.I ft he r ea r ea nyr i ght r e a s onst obe c omeaga mbl e r ,t he nmyr e a s on swe r er i ght .Andi fIwa l ka wa yf r omi tnow,Iwoul dbes a yi ngt he l a s tt we nt yye a r swe r eme a ni ngl e s s . " J e nni f e rdi dn' tr e s pondf oral ongmome nt .Shel ooke ddowna thi sbe a ut i f ul ,l ongf i nge r e dha ndshol di ng he r s ,c ons c i ousofhi ss t r a i na ndhe rown.Andi nt het a ngl eofhe re mot i ons ,onet houghte me r ge dc l e a r l y.He doe s n' thav et os ayt hi s .Hec oul ds a yga mbl i ngme a ntnot hi nga ndt ha thewoul dgi vei tupi fs hea s ke d.She woul dbee a ge rt obe l i e vehi m.

Hec oul dha vea voi de dt he s ec ompl i c a t i onse a s i l y,i far e l a t i ons hi pwi t hhe rha dme a ntl e s st ha ni t obvi ous l ydi dt ohi m.Buts heha dbe e nr i ghti nbe l i e vi ngt ha tt he r ewa sac or eofi nt e gr i t yi nhi m,aba s i c hone s t y.Hewoul dn' tt e l lhe rwha ts hewa n t e dt ohe a r ,be c a us ei twoul dbeal i e .Hewoul dn' tof f e rhe re a s y a ns we r s ,s i mpl es ol ut i ons ,be c a us es ome t i me st hea ns we r sa r e n' ts i mpl eone s . I ta l lc a medownt oaque s t i onoft r us t ,a ndheobvi ous l ykne wt ha ta swe l la ss hedi d.Heha dt r i e dt o a s s ur ehe r ,a sc a r e f ul l ya ndr e a s ona bl ya spos s i bl e ,t ha thewa s n' tac ompul s i v ega mbl e r ,t ha thewoul dbe ,by t hi sve r ypr of e s s i ona l i s m,i nc a pa bl eofar e c kl e s s ,hur t f ula c ts uc ha she rf a t he r ' s .Anda tnot i meha dhet a ke n a dva nt a geoft hes t r ongde s i r et h e ywe r ebot hc ons t a nt l ya wa r eofi nor de rt os wa yhe rt oapoi ntbe yondr e a s on. Hec oul dha ve ,a ndt he ybot hkne wi t . " J e nny. . . " Sheme thi sga z ef i na l l y,l ooki ngi nt ot hos ei nc r e di bl e ,vi br a nte ye s ,t hi nki ng.Hehas n' tmademef or ge t e v e r y t hi ngbutwant i nghi m,andhec oul d. . .hec oul d.Thea c hei ns i dehe re a s e d." Doyouknowt ha tFr os tpoe m. TheRoa dNotTa ke n' ? "s hea s ke ds of t l y. Henodde ds l owl y. Wi t hade e pbr e a t h,s hes a i d," Iha ve n ' tha dt ha tc hoi c et ooof t e ni nmyl i f e ,a ndwhe nIdi dIt ookt hes a f e pa t h,wi t hnor e gr e t s .Butwhe nIme tyou,t hec hoi c ewa s n' te a s ya nymor e .Andi fIt a ket hes a f epa t ht hi st i me ,I be l i e veI ’ l la l wa yswonde ra boutt heonel e s st r a ve l e d. " Hel i f t e daha ndt ohe rc he e k,t ouc hi ngi tge nt l y,a nds udde nl yhi se ye swe r el i kes unl i ghtt hr oughpu r pl e c l ouds ,l i tf r omwi t hi n,vi vi dwi t hpr omi s e s ." Ihopet ha tme a nswha tIt hi nki tdoe s , "hes a i dhus ki l y. J e nni f e rs mi l e d,f e e l i ngwa r ma ndl i ght e rt ha na i r ." It houghtyouwe r egoi ngt of e e dme . "

Seven Twohour sl a t e r ,Da nea ndJ e nni f e rwe r ewa l ki ngt oge t he ri napa r kne a rt her e s t a ur a nt .Si nc ei twa s s umme r ,t hepa r kwa sa l i vewi t hc hi l dr e na ndyoungpe opl e ,e xpl odi ngwi t ha c t i vi t ya ndl a ught e r .J e nni f e r t houghtt ha tDa neha dbr oughthe rhe r ede l i be r a t e l y,be c a us ewha theha dt ol dhe rda ysa gos t i l lhe l dt r ue :The y woul dha vel i t t l et i met oge t he runt i lhef i ni s he dhi sj obwi t hGa r r e t tKe l l y,a ndi twa sc l e a rheha dnoI nt e nt i on ofr us hi ngt hi ngsbe t we e nt he m. Shewa l ke dbe s i dehi m,he rha ndt uc ke di nt hec r ookofhi sa r ma ndhi sha ndc ove r i nghe r s ,ve r ya wa r eof mor et ha non ef e mi ni nehe a dt ur ni ngt oge tas e c ondgl a nc ea tDa ne .I tdi dn' ts ur pr i s ehe r .Hewa sas t r i ki ngl y ha nds omema nofi mpr e s s i ves i z ea ndgr a c e ,a ndt he r ewa sac ur i ousa ur aofdi gni t ya ndol dwor l dc ha r ma bout hi m. Ands hef e l toddl ye nc l os e dbyt ha ta ur ahe r s e l f .Shewa sc ons c i oust ha the rpos t ur ewa ss t r a i ght e rwhe n s hewa swi t hhi m,he rhe a dhe l dhi ghe r ,a si fs omeI ns t i nc twi t hi nhe rs t r ovet oma t c hhi si nna t edi gni t y.As us ua lhewa sdr e s s e dwi t hs e mi f or ma l i t yi nac r e a mc ol or e ds ui t ,onl yt het i emi s s i ng.Asf orhe r s e l f ,s hewa si n ac a s ua lde ni ms ki r ta ndc ot t onbl ous e ;s heh a dt a ke nt owe a r i n gs ki r t sr a t he rt ha nhe rus ua lJ e a ns ,e ve nt hough s heha dc a r e f ul l yr e f r a i ne df r om e xpl a i ni nghe rmot i ve st ohe r s e l f .Buts her e a l i z e dnowi twa sbe c a us et h e r e wa ss ome t hi ngve r ymal ea boutDa ne ,a boutt ha ta ur aofhi s ,s ome t hi ngt ha tbr oughtoutt hef e mi ni nei na woma n. Abs ur dl y,s hec a ughthe r s e l fwi s hi ngt ha thoops ki r t sa ndl ot sofpe t t i c oa t swe r es t i l lt hef a s hi on. " Ri ve r boa t s , "s hemur mur e dt ohe r s e l f . Hel ooke ddowna the r ,s mi l i ng." Wha t ? " J e nni f e rf e l the r s e l ff l us hal i t t l e ,buts hewa sa mus e da swe l l .Ands i nc et he yha dr e a c he daki ndof c a r e f ulc omp a ni ons hi pdur i ngbr e a kf a s t ,s hedi dn' the s i t a t et ol e thi m know he rt hought snow." Iwa sj us t t hi nki nghowa thomeyouwoul dha vel ooke donar i ve r boa tahundr e dye a r sa go. "And,a shi ss mi l ede e pe ne d, s hea dde ddr yl y," You' vehe a r dt ha tbe f or e . " " Onc eort wi c e , "hea dmi t t e d. Shes i ghe d." I fIwe r e n' tha ngi ngonyoura r m,youwoul dha vebe e nmobbe dbyha l ft he s ewome nby now. " Hel a ughe d,s t a r t l e d." ForGod' ss a ke .J e nny! " " We l l ,i t ' st r ue .Andyouha vet oknowi t . "Shel ooke dupa thi m,c ur i ous ." Don' tyou? " " Howa mIs uppos e dt oa ns we rt ha t ? "hea s ke ds ome wha the l pl e s s l y. I twa she rt ur nt ol a ugh,buts hewa s n' twi l l i ngt odr opt hes ubj e c t ." Youa r e n' tva i n,Iknow.Mos tr e a l l y ha nds omeme na r es oa wa r eoft he i rl ookst ha t ' sa l lyour e me mbe ronc et he y' r egone .Youa r e n' tl i ket ha t .And wi t hyou...i t ' smor et ha nas e toff e a t ur e st ha tha ppe nst obeputt oge t he rwe l l .I t ' ss ome t hi nge l s e .Pe opl e not i c eyou,noma t t e rwhe r eyoua r eorwha tyou' r edoi ng,a ndr e me mbe ryou. " " I ' mt a l l e rt ha na ve r a ge , "hes a i ddi s mi s s i ve l y. J e nni f e r ' sa mus e me nti nc r e a s e d.Hewa sc l e a r l yunc omf or t a bl ewi t ht hes ubj e c t ,a ndt he r ewa ss ome t hi ng c ur i ous l ye nde a r i nga boutt ha tb e c a us es hekne wi twa ss i nc e r e ." Tha ti s n' ti te i t he r , "s het ol dhi mf i r ml y." ButI knowwha tpa r tofi ti s .Youwa l kl i keac a t .Oraki ng. " Tha tr e a l l ydi ds t a r t l ehi m,a ndhedi dn' ts e e mt oknow whe t he rt ol a ughors we a r ." I fyoume a nI ' m a r r oga nt–" " No,youa r e n' ta r r oga nt . "Shemus e da bouti t ,wa nt i nghi mt ounde r s t a ndwha ti twa ss hes a wi nhi m. " Notha ught y.Ca t sa ndki ngsha veaki ndofs e l f knowl e dget her e s tofusr a r e l ya t t a i n.As ur es e ns eoft he i r pl a c ei nt hewor l d.The y' r ec e nt e r e d.Ba l a nc e d. " Al i t t l ewr yl y,hes a i d," Sur eyou' r et a l ki nga boutme ? " " I ' mnots a yi ngyoudon' tha vedoubt sf r omt i met ot i me ;youwoul dn' tbehuma not he r wi s e .I t ' sj us tt ha t t he r es e e mst obes ome t hi ngi nyout ha t ' s...f i xe d.Some t hi ngs ode e pl yc e r t a i nt ha ti t ' sa l mos tvi s i bl e .Yous a i d

youc a r r i e dyourr oot sa r oundwi t hyou.Ma ybet ha t ' si t .Theonl yt hi ngyou' r et i e dt oi syour s e l f . " Hewa ss mi l i nga ga i n,f a i nt l y." Wha tb r oughtona l lt hi sa na l ys i s ? " The yha dpa us e dont hepa t hunde r ne a t hat owe r i ngoa k,a ndJ e nni f e rr e l e a s e dhi sa r mt owa nde rove r a nds i tont hewhi t ebe nc he nc i r c l i ngi t sgi r t h ." You, "s hes a i dwi t has i gh." Andi t ' syourownf a ul t .You' ves hot myownba l a nc et ohe l l ,youknow. " " Sor r y, "hemur mur e d. Shel o oke da thi mwr yl y." No,you' r enot . " " Al lr i ght ,t he n.I ' mnots or r y.Whys houl dIs uf f e rt hr ought hi sa l one ? " " Thi s ? "Shedr e wabr e a t h,he ra mus e me ntva ni s hi ng,a nda dde ds t e a di l y," Weke e pda nc i nga r oundi t , don' twe ? " Da nes t oodl ooki ngdowna the r ,s udde nl ygr a ve ." I t ' st ooda nge r oust os t opt hemus i c . " J e nni f e rkne wve r ywe l lt ha theha dbe e na ts omepa i nst oke e pt hemus i cgoi ng,t oke e pt hi ngsona n e ve nke e lbe t we e nt he m.Ands hekne wt ha thewa sr i ghtt ot hi nkt ha twa ya sl onga st he i rt i met oge t he rha dt o bebr i e f .The r ewa sawi l dne s st he ywe r ebot hc ons c i ousofa ndha dl i t t l ec ont r olove r ,e xpl odi ngwhe nt he y t ouc he di na n yt hi ngbutac a s ua lwa y.The ywe r ebot hwa r y.Shef e l ti ti nhe r s e l f ,a nds e ns e di ti nDa ne . Buts hedi dn' tknowwha thewa nt e df r omhe r ,notc ompl e t e l y,a ndt ha tbot he r e dhe r .Heha dne ve rhi nt e d a ta nyki ndo fac ommi t me nt ,s a yi ngonl yt ha thewa nt e dac ha nc et of i ndoutwha tt hi swa sbe t we e nt he m.And heha dc e r t a i nl yha dwome nt hr owi ngt he ms e l ve sa thi ms i nc ehi st e e ns .Wha tma dehe rs os pe c i a lt ha the woul dn' tt a kea dva nt a geofobvi o usde s i r e ?Wha t ,i nde e d... Unwi l l i ngt oc ont i nuea l ongt hos el i ne s ,s hec ha nge dt hes ubj e c ta br upt l y." Yous a i dyouwe r eaga mbl e r a ndat hi e f .Weha ve n' tt a l ke da boutt hes e c on d. " Hewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he na c c e pt e dt hec ha nge ." I t ' sa c c ur a t ee nough,de pe ndi ngonyourpoi ntof vi e w.I nc e r t a i nqua r t e r s ,Iha vet her e put a t i o nofbe i ngat hi e f ,a ndIdon' tde nyi t .The r eha vebe e na dva nt a ge s t oi t . " " Asa ni nf or ma t i onbr oke r ? "s hegue s s e d. Da nenodde d." Somes ha dyi ndi vi dua l swoul dn' tt a l kt omeunl e s sIha dt her e put a t i onIdo.I tc ome si n ha ndy. " J e nni f e rga z e da thi ms t e a di l y." Re put a t i onsdon' tus ua l l ya r i s eoutoft hi na i r . " " No.Butt he yc a nbema nuf a c t ur e d. " " Thewa yyour swa s . "I twa s n' taque s t i on,a ndJ e nni f e rs hookhe rhe a dal i t t l e ." Ar eyoudoi ngi tde l i be r a t e l y,Da ne ? " " Doi ngwha t ? " " Te s t i ngme .Is uppos e .Youa s kf ormyt r us t ,ye tyou' r ehol di ngba c ks ome t hi ng,ke e pi ngavi t a lpi e c eof t hepuz z l et oyour s e l f .Soi tmus tbeat e s t ,t os e ei fIc a nt r us tyou,a ndma ybee ve nl oveyou. " " I ti s n' tat e s t .J e nny.The r ea r et hi ngsIc a n' tt e l lyouye t .Ans we r sI ' mnotf r e et ogi veyou. "Hes wor e s of t l y,l ooki ng,i nt ha tmome nt ,a si ft hewi l dne s sI ns i dehi mwa st hr e a t e ni ngt obur s tf r e eofhi sc a r e f ulr e s t r a i nt . " Whyt hehe l ldoyout hi nkI ' m be i ngs uc habl oodyge nt l e ma na boutt hi s ?Themi nut eIr e a l i z e dweha d s ome t hi ngs pe c i a l ,Iwa s n' ta boutt ome s si tupbyr us hi ngyouwhe nIc oul dn' tgi veyoua l lt hea ns we r s . " " Youwa nt e dmye ye swi deope n, "s h es a i ds of t l y,be c a us ei twa sac onf i r ma t i onofwha ts heha donl y j us tr e a l i z e d. Da nedi dn' ts e e mt ohe a rt hene wnot ei nhe rvoi c e .Hewa sc l e a r l ys t r uggl i ngt ol e a s hwha ts heha ds o ne a r l ys e tf r e e .Ha ndsj a mme di nhi spoc ke t s ,hewa ss t a ndi nga si fhedi dn' tda r emove ,a si fhewa nt e dba dl yt o move ." Iwa ntt ot a keyout obe df orawe e k, "hes a i dr oughl y." Amont h.Andt he ni t ' l lbet ool a t ef oryou, J e nny,t ool a t ef orbot hofus .Iwoul dn' tbea bl et ol e tyougoa f t e rt ha t .Soyouha vet obes ur e ,a ndyouwon' tbe s ur ewi t houta l lt hea ns we r s . " Sher os es l owl ya ndt ookas t e pt owa r dhi ms ot ha ts hes t oodwi t hi na r m' sr e a c h.Shec oul dha r dl ybe l i e ve wha ts hewa sf e e l i ng,ye ts henol onge rdoubt e di t .Ands hec oul dn' tt a kehe re ye sof fhi m." I t ' sa l r e a dyt ool a t e f orme , "s het ol dhi mi navoi c es hedi dn' tr e c ogni z ea she rown. Da nedi dn' tmove ,buti nhi se ye st he r ewa sac ha nge ,l i ghtt hr oughas t or m,t heki ndofl i ghtt ha tma de r a i nbows .I nt hedi s t a nc e ,t hevoi c e sa ndl a ug ht e rofpe opl ea ndc hi l dr e nf a de da wa y,putoutofr e a c h. J e nni f e rc oul da l mos the a rhe rhe a r t be a t ,a ndhi s ,a nds hec oul df e e ls ome t hi ngi ns i dehe rgi vewa y,a l li n ar us h,a si fawa l lha dc ol l a ps e ds i l e nt l y.Thef e a r ss heha dbe e nc ons c i ousofunt i lt he nme l t e da wa y.I nt ot he t a uts i l e nc e ,s hes a i ds of t l y," Iha vea l lt hea ns we r sIne e d.Da ne .It hi nkIdi df r om t hef i r s t .I t ' sj us tt ha tt he wr ongque s t i onske ptge t t i ngi nt hewa y. " Heha l fs hookhi she a d,a na l mos tunc ons c i ousge s t ur eofr e l uc t a ntne ga t i on." Youc a n' tbes ur e . " " Ca n' tI ?The s epa s tda ys ,I ' vebe e nf i ght i nge ve r yt hi ngIf e l t ,t e l l i ngmys e l fi tc oul dn' tber e a l .Andt he r e we r es oma nyque s t i onst ha ti twa se a s yt obe l i e vet hea ns we r sh a dt obei mpor t a nt . " " The ya r ei mpor t a nt , "hes a i dhus ki l y. " No.Theonl yI mpor t a nta ns we ri ss t a ndi ngi nf r ontofme .You.Thema nyoua r e .Al lt heque s t i on si n t hewor l dc a n ' tke e pmef r om knowi ngt het r ut hoft ha ta ns we r .You' r eama nofi nt e gr i t y. "Shedr e wade e p br e a t h." AndIl oveyou. " The r ewa sa ni ns t a ntofut t e rs t i l l ne s s ,a ndt he nDa newa shol di nghe ri nhi sa r ms ,t i ght l y,hi she a r t poundi nga ga i ns the r ." Tha nkyo u, "hes a i dq ui e t l yi nt ohe rs of tha i r . J e nni f e rpul l e dba c kj us tf a re nought ol ookupa thi m." Forwha t ? "s hea s ke duns t e a di l y." Forl ovi ng you?Tha twa se a s y.Soe a s yIc oul dn' tbe l i e vei t . " " Fort r us t i ngme , "hemur mur e d,ki s s i nghe rge nt l ya ndt he nwi t hbui l di ngde s i r e ." Iwa s n' ts ur eyou c oul df i nda nyt hi ngi nmet ot r us t ,muc hl e s s–"Hi svoi c ede e pe ne d,a si fi tc a mef r omt hec or eofhi ms e l f ." I l oveyou.J e nny. "

He ra r mswe ntupa r oundhi sne c k,a nds hel os the r s e l fi nt hegr owi nghe a toft he i rki s s ,f e e l i ngaha ppi ne s ss heha dne ve re xpe c t e dt of e e l .Il ov ey ou.Ca s ua lwor dst os ome ,s hekne w.Wor dswr i t t e ni nf l owi ng s c r i ptongr e e t i ngc a r dsa nds e ntt hr ought hema i l .Butt he ywe r e n' tc a s ua lt ohe ra nde ve r yt hi ngi ns i dehe rt ol d he rt he ywe r e n' tc a s ua lt oDa nee i t he r . " Oh,da mnt hi sj ob, "hemut t e r e ds udde nl ya ga i ns the rl i ps ,t he nl i f t e dhi she a dt oga z edowna the rwi t h br i ght ,uns hut t e r e de ye s ." God,I ' mha l foutofmymi ndwa nt i ngyou,a ndt he r eJ us ti s n' tt i me . "Hi svoi c ewa s r a s py. J e nni f e rwa ss t a r i ngupi nt ohi se ye s ,a ndt hepr omi s e swe r et he r ea ga i n,wi l da ndbe c koni ng,t r a ppe di n vi ol e t ...c onvi nc i nghe rhedi dbe l i e vet he r ewa ss ome t hi ngs pe c i a lbe t we e nt he m,s ome t hi ngwor t hf i ght i ngf or a ndpr e s e r vi ng.Hec oul ds oe a s i l yha veus e dhi ss e xua lpowe rove rhe r ,a st he ybot hkne whec oul d,a ndhe hadn' t .Heha dc l ungt or e a s on,us i ngonl yt hewe a ponss hec oul df i ght ,s hut t e r i ngt hei nc r e di bl ef or c eofhi s r e ma r ka bl ee y e sunt i lt hef i ght i n gwa sove r . Es s e nc e s . " Howdoyoudot ha t ? "s hea s ke d,f a s c i na t e d. Da nes e e me dt of i nds omef a i ntc ont r olove rt hede ma ndsofhi sbody,a ndhe l donwi t hi r onwi l l .Hewa s s mi l i ngj us tal i t t l e ,s ome t hi nga l mos ts he e pi s hi nt hec ur veofhi sl i ps ." Dowha t ? "hea s ke di nnoc e nt l y. Shei gnor e dt hea t t e mpta ti gnor a nc e ." Youknow,da mmi t .Youha vet oknow.I t ' s. . .s ome t hi ngIc a n a l mos the ar . " Hepu l l e dhe ra r msge nt l yf r oma r oundhi sne c ka ndt ookhe rha nd,be gi nni ngt ol e a dhe rba c kt owa r dhi s c a rwi t har e s ol vet ha twa sobvi ous ." Asmuc ha sIha t et odoi t ,I ' dbe t t e rt a keyouhome ,a ndr i ghtnow.The r e a r es omet hi n gsIha vet odobe f or eIme e tKe l l yt oni ght . " " Da ne ,I ' mnotgoi ngt ol e tyouputmeof ft hi st i me ! "Shewa sde t e r mi ne d." Iha vet oknow. " Her e f us e dt oa ns we runt i lt he ywe r ei nt hec a ra ndhe a di ngba c kt owa r dhe rhous ea nde ve nt he nhe s e e me dr e l uc t a nta ndmor et ha nabi tdi s c omf i t e d." I ti s n' tma gi c ,hone y. " " I tl oo ksl i kei tf r omwhe r eI ' ms t a ndi ng, "s het ol dhi mr ue f ul l y." Pl e a s e ,Da ne ,t e l lme . " Af t e ramome nt ,hes a i d," Wha tdi dyous e e ? " " Pr omi s e s , "s hea ns we r e di ns t a nt l y,h a l ft ur ne di nhe rs e a ts os hec oul dl ooka thi m." Pr omi s e sIc oul d f e e l ,pul l i nga tme ,a si fyou–a si fyoukne we xa c t l ywha tIwa nt e da ndne e de d. " Da ner e a c he df orhe rha nda ndc a r r i e di tbr i e f l yt ohi sl i ps ,t he nhe l di tf i r ml yonhi st hi gh." Is houl dh a ve a s ke dyous oone r , "hes a i dhus ki l y." I twou l dha vebe e ne a s i e rf orme ,knowi ngt ha t ' swha tyouf e l t .Iwa s n' t s ur e . " " Idon' tunde r s t a nd. " " Idon' tmys e l f ,notr e a l l y. "Hes e nthe raqui c ks mi l e ." Ionl yknowI ' veof t e nbe e na bl et os wa ys o me pe opl e ,i fIc onc e nt r a t e dha r de nough.Butwi t hyou,i twa s...The r e ' ss omuc hIwa ntt ogi veyou,s oma ny f e e l i ngsI ns i dewi l de rt ha na nyt hi ngI ' vee ve rknown–" J e nni f e rf e l the rhe a r tt ur nove rwhe nhi svoi c ebr okeof fr oughl y,a ndhe rha ndt i ght e ne di nhi s ." Tha t ' s wha tIs a w, "s hes a i ds of t l y." Wha tIwa nt e da ndne e de d. " Da newa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns a i di nat hi c ke ne dvoi c e ," Is we a rI ' l lne ve rdr i veas por t sc a ra ga i n. " Shet h oughts hekne w,butmur mur e d," Why? " " Be c a us eIwa ntyouc l os ebe s i demef r omnowon, "het ol dhe r ,s t a r i nggr i ml yt hr ought hewi nds hi e l di n a na t t e mptt oke e pa tl e a s tpa r tofhi smi ndondr i vi ng.Shedi dn' ts e e mt of ul l yr e a l i z et hee f f e c ts heha donhi m, a ndhewa sbe yondt e l l i nghe ra tt hemome nt .Wha tc oul dhes a y?Tha tonl yt we nt yye a r sofdi s c i pl i ne dc ont r ol ove rhi sbody,ne c e s s a r yf oras uc c e s s f ulga mbl e r ,ma dei tpos s i bl ef orhi mt of i ghtt hede s i r et oj us tgr a bhe r a ndc a r r yhe rof fs ome whe r e ? The r ewa ss omuc hhewa nt e dt ot e l lhe r ,s howhe r ,t hos ewi l df e e l i ngsi ns i dehi mba r e l yunde rc ont r ol . Andt hea c heofhi sbody,pr e s e ntf orda ysnow,wa sane e dmo r epowe r f ult ha na nyt hi nghe ' de ve rf e l tbe f or e . Thede t a c hme ntt ha tha df ors ol ongbe e na na dva nt a gei nhi swor kwa sgonewi t hhe r ,f a routofhi sr e a c h.He ha dne ve rc ons i de r e dhi ms e l fa nunf e e l i ngma n,buthekne w now t ha theha dne ve rf e l twi t ht hede pt ha nd powe rt ha tl ovi nghe rma dehi mc a pa bl eof . De arLor d,hel ov e dhe r .... Si ghi nguns t e a di l y,J e nni f e rs a i d," I ' mgl a dI ' mnott heonl yonegoi ngc r a z y. " Hi sl a ughwa sabr e a t hofs ound." J e nn y,Ipa s s e dc r a z yda ysa go. " " I tdoe s n' ts how, "s hewhi s pe r e d. Her e l e a s e dhe rha ndi nt hene c e s s i t yo fge a r i ngdowna ndt ur ni ngt hec a ri nt ohe rdr i ve wa y." Doe s n' ti t ? " Ve r yc ons c i ousofhi sha r dt hi ghunde rhe rha nd,J e nni f e rr e a l i z e dt ha ti tdi ds how.Be ne a t hhi sc ompos ur ehewa ss t r a i ne d,hi sbodyt i ght l ywounda ndf e ve r i s h.Buthewa ss t ubbor nl yde t e r mi ne dnott oc he a te i t he r oft he mbys t e a l i ngonl yaf e whour st oge t he r . " Da mnKe l l y! "s hemut t e r e dwi t hs uppr e s s e dvi ol e nc e . Da nes t oppe dt hec a ra ndt he nl e a ne dove rt oki s she rwi t ht a utr e s t r a i nt ." Iwon' tge tout , "hes a i dh us ki l y." I fIputmya r msa r oundyouonemor et i me ,a l lt hegoodI nt e nt i onsi nt hewor l dwon' tbea bl et os t opme . " Shef umbl e df ort hedoorha ndl ea ndgotoutoft hec a rs l owl y,f e e l i nghota ndr e s t l e s sa ndmor et ha na l i t t l eda z e d." You' r es ur ei t ' l lbeove rt oni ghtwi t hKe l l y? " " I ' l lma kes ur eofi t . " J e nni f e rdi dn' tque s t i on,butme r e l ynodde da nds t e ppe dba c k,c l os i ngt heFe r r a r i ' sdoora nddr a wi ng a wa yf r omi t .Shewa t c he dt hec a rpul loutoft hedr i ve wa ya nds t a r tba c kt owa r dLa keCha r l e s ,wa t c he dunt i l s hec oul dnol onge rs e ei t .The ns hewe nti nt ot hehous e . Shef oundhe r s e l fa l onef ort heda y,Fr a nc e s c aha vi ngl e f tanot et or e mi ndhe rofhe rwe e kl yl unc ha ndbr i dgea r r a nge me ntwi t hol df r i e nds .J e nni f e rwa sr e l i e ve dt ha the rmot he rwa sgone ;he rf e e l i ngsf orDa newe r e

ne wa ndwondr ous ,a nds hewa nt e dt ohol dt he mc l os et ohe r s e l ff orawhi l eunt i lt he ybe c a memor ef a mi l i a r . I ft he ye ve rdi d. I twa s n' tonl yhe rl ovef orhi mt ha twa sunf a mi l i a r ,buthe r s e l fa swe l l .Shef e l tc ur i ous l yr a w,s e ns i t i v et o e ve r yt hi nga r oundhe ra si fhe rve r yf l e s hwa sne wa ndt e nde r .But t e r f l i e s ,s het hought ,mus tf e e lt ha twa y, wi ngsunf ur l i nga nds t i l lda mpf r om t hec h r ys a l i s ,vul ne r a bl e ,s us c e pt i bl et ount ol dda ma gei nt hef i r s tvi t a l mome nt sa f t e rt he i rt r a ns f or ma t i on. Shef e l tl i ket ha t ,e xpos e di nane wf o r ms heha r dl yr e c ogni z e d.Somer i gi di t yi nhe r s e l fs heha dba r e l y be e na wa r eofwhe ni te xi s t e dwa sgonenow,l e a vi nghe rs of t e n e d,a l mos tunde f i ne d.Al lt hee mot i onsDa neha d dr a wnt ot hes ur f a c er e ma i ne dt h e r e ,a nds hedi dn' tf e e lt hene e dt of i ghtt he ma nyl onge r . J e nni f e rt r i e dt owor ki nhe rs t udy,butf oundi tawa s t e de f f or t .Mor et ha nonc e ,s hec a ughthe r s e l fga z i ng i nt os pa c e ,he rmi ndf i l l e dwi t hi ma ge sha vi ngnot hi ngt odowi t hwor k.Fi na l l y,a ba ndoni ngt hes t r uggl e ,s he l e f tt her oom.I twa sa f t e rt woo' c l oc k;s heha ds ki ppe dl unc h,bu twa s n' thungr y. Not hi n gi nt hehous ec oul dhol dhe ra t t e nt i onf orl ong,a ndbyt hr e eo' c l oc ks hewa st oor e s t l e s st or e ma i n t he r e .Shede c i de dt owa l kt oBe l l eRe t our ,not hi ngi nmi ndbuthe rne e dt obea c t i vea ndhe rde s i r et ol ooka tt he l os thomet ha twa ss t i l labi t t e r s we e ta c hei ns i dehe r .Shewoul dme r e l yl ook,s hea s s ur e dhe r s e l f ,goi ngno f a r t he rt ha nt hewoodsne a rt hehous e .J us tSt a nda ndl ooka nd,p e r ha ps ,t hi st i mema na get os a ygoodbye . Sheha df or got t e nDa ne ' spr omi s e . Thepa t hs het ook,ones heha dma dehe r s e l fove rt heye a r swhe nt hec ot t a geha dbe e nhe rs t udi o,c utt he t womi l edi s t a nc et ot hehous ea l mos ti nha l f .Notye tove r gr own.I twoundt hr ought hewoodsa nda l ongt he e dge soff i e l ds .Shewa l ke ds l owl y,e nj oyi ngt hewa r mbr e e z e ,t hi nki ngva gue l yt ha tas t or mwa sc omi ng.Af t e r gr owi nguphe r ei na na r e avul ne r a bl et of i e r c egul fs t or ms ,s heha dbe c omel i keac a ti nhe rs e ns i t i vi t yt ot he f a l l i nga i rpr e s s ur et ha the r a l de das t or m,a ndt ha tI ns t i nc tt ol dhe rnowt ha tt hepr e s s ur ewa sl ow,a nddr oppi ng. Wa sas t or mf or e c a s t ,pe r ha pse ve nahur r i c a ne ?Thi swa st hes e a s onf ort he m,butJ e nni f e rha dn' tpa i d a t t e nt i ont owe a t he rr e por t sonr a di oort e l e v i s i onl a t e l y.He rpa c equi c ke ne de ve na st hebr e e z edi e d,a nds he kne wwi t houtt hi nki nga bouti tt ha tas t or mwa snomor et ha na nhoura wa y. The r ewa ss t i l lt i me ,s het hought . Shef oundhe r s e l font hee dgeoft hewoodsnomor et ha nahundr e dya r dsf r omt hehous e ,a nds t oodga z i ngt owa r di t ,c ons c i ousofat a ngl eofe mot i ons .Odd,s het hought ,t ha tt hi sol dc ol l e c t i onofbr i c ksa ndwood c oul dr ous es uc hf e e l i ngs ,I ns pi r es uc hme mor i e s .... He rmi nds na ppe dba c kt ot hepr e s e nta ss hewa t c he dGa r r e t tKe l l ye me r gef r omas i dedoora nds t a r tout t hr ought hega r de n,a nds hef r owne di npuz z l e me nt .Hewa sc a r r yi ngas ma l ls a t c he lma deofl e a t he r ,a ndhi s s t e pwa sbr i s k.Andhedi dn' ts t opwhe nhegott hr ought heove r gr ownga r de n,butc ont i nue di nt ot hewoodst o t hes out hoft hehous e . Whe r ewa shegoi ng?s hewonde r e dune a s i l y.The r ewa snot hi ngi nt ha tdi r e c t i one xc e pt– Ofc our s e !Ther e a l i z a t i onwa ss t a r ki nhe rmi nd,a nds hec oul dn' tbe l i e ves heha dn' tt houghtofi ts oone r . Whe r ee l s ec oul dama nhopet ohi deapr i nt i ngpr e s s–e ve na ne nt i r ec ount e r f e i t i ngope r a t i on–e xc e pti nt he de pt hsofa na l mos ti na c c e s s i bl ec ypr e s ss wa mp? J e nni f e rs ur ve ye dt hehous ea ndgr oundsqui c kl y,l ooki nga r oundI nt e nt l y,buts a wnos i gnt ha tKe l l ywa s be i ngf ol l owe d.Whe r ewa sDa ne ' spa r t ne r ?Thi swa swha tt he y' dbe e nwa i t i ngf or ,wha tt hi se nt i r eope r a t i on ha dc omedownt o,a ndt he r ewa snoonef ol l owi ngKe l l y! Shehe s i t a t e d,bi t i nghe rbot t om l i pi ni nde c i s i on,t he ns wor es of t l ya nds t a r t e douta f t e rhi m.Shewa s ha r dl ydr e s s e df orat r e ki nt ot hes wa mp,butt he r ewa snot i met owor r ya boutt ha t .She ' dj us tha vet ot r us tt ohe r owns ur e f oot e dne s sa ndke e pawa r ye yeoutf ors na ke s .I nhe rt omboyda ys ,s heha dpr a c t i c a l l yl i ve di nt he s wa mp–t ot hede s pa i rofFr a nc e s c a–a ndt h e r ewe r ef e wwhokne wi ta swe l la ss hedi d. SoJ e n ni f e rt r us t e dhe r s e l ft of i ndoutj us twhe r eKe l l ywa sgoi ng;s het houghts hec oul de ve ngue s snow. Shedi dn' tl ookba c ka ss heva ni s he di nt ot hef or e s t ,whi c hwa sapi t y.I fs heha d,s hewoul dha ves e e nat a l lma n s t e pf r omt hec onc e a l i ngs ha dowsne a rt hehous ea nds t a r ea f t e rhe r ,af r ownonhi sf a c e .Shemi ghte ve nha ve he a r dhi mut t e rava r i a t i onofhe re a r l i e rc us s wor dwi t hagr e a tde a lmor ef or c e .Buts hedi dn' tl ookba c k. I ns t e a d,J e nni f e rc onc e nt r a t e dons pe e dunt i ls hec a ughtagl i mps eofKe l l ya he a dofhe r ,t he ns e t t l e d downt oma t c hhi spa c ea ndbequi e ta bouti t .The r ewa snopa t ht hr ought he s ewoods ,a tl e a s tnonet os pe a kof , buts hes a we vi de nc et ha tKe l l yha dgonet hi swa ymor et ha nonc ei nt hepa s t .Shef e l tas ur geofe xc i t e me nt , i nc r e a s i ngl yc e r t a i nt ha ts hewa sr i ght .Ands hewa ss oc ons c i ou soft hepr e ya he a dofhe r ,t ha ts hene ve rnot i c e d t hes i l e nthunt e rbe hi ndhe r . Thegr oundbe ne a t hhe rf e e tbe c a mes of t e ra ndwe t t e ra st he yne a r e dt hes wa mp,t het owe r i ngoa kt r e e s t hi nni ngouta ndgr a dua l l ybe c omi ngt hec ypr e s st r e e sc ommoni ns uc ha na r e a .I tbe c a memor edi f f i c ul tt oke e p c l os et oKe l l y,a ndJ e nni f e rwa sf or c e dt odr opba c ki nor de rt ohi dehe rownpr e s e nc ea st hec onc e a l i ng unde r br us hoft hef or e s tga vewa ya ndt her i c h,r i pes me l lofwe t l a ndsc l os e da r oundhe r . Shegl a nc e duponc et of i ndt hes kyl e a de n,c ons c i ousofi nc r e a s i nghe a t ,ofs t i l l ne s s .De f i ni t e l yas t or m, a ndpr oba bl yabi gone .Sher e a l i z e donl yt he nt ha tKe l l ywa sunl i ke l yt oha ver una ne l e c t r i cl i neouthe r e .Di d heha veage ne r a t or ?Wa shi spr e s se l e c t r i c ?Andwhy,s hewonde r e ds udde nl y,ha dDa nef oundI nt hes a f eonl y oneoft hene c e s s a r yt wopl a t e s ? Somepa r tofhe rmi ndt ur ni ngt hos eque s t i onsove r ,s hef ol l owe dKe l l yc a ut i ous l y,s ki r t i ngt hee dg eof t hes wa mpwhe r ei twa sa l mos tl i t e r a l l yi mpa s s i bl e ,whe r emur kywa t e rr i nge dt a l lc ypr e s st r e e sa ndr ot t i ng s t umpsa l i ke .Br oke nof ft r e e sr e a r e dupl i kej a gge dwoode nt e e t h,a ndl i mbsf l oa t e di dl yont hes t i l lwa t e r . J e nni f e rha r dl ynot i c e dt hee e r i el a nds c a pe ,t ooI nt e ntonhe rqua r r y.Shef ol l owe dhi mt oa nol ds ha c kon t hef a re dgeoft hes wa mp,wa t c he dhi me nt e rt her a ms ha c kl ebui l di ng.Af t e ra ni ns t a nt ' she s i t a t i on,s hec r e pt c l os e r ,a ss i l e nta spos s i bl e ,unt i ls hec oul dc r ouc hbe l owaboa r de dupwi ndowa tt hes i deoft hehous e . He a r i nga not he rma n' svoi c e ,s hema na ge daqui c kl ookbe t we e nt heboa r ds ,s ur pr i s e dt or e a l i z et ha tt he

ot he rma nha dbe e nl i vi ngi nt hes ha c k,a ndf ors omet i mei ta pp e a r e d.Shec oul dba r e l ys e eana r r owc ot ,as he l f wi t hf oods t uf f s ,as ma l lt a bl e . Anda nol dpr i nt i ngpr e s s . El a t e d,J e nni f e rpr e s s e dhe re a rc l os et ot hewooda ndl i s t e ne d,de t e r mi ne dt of i ndouta l ls hec oul d.For t hef i r s tf i f t e e nmi nut e sors o,s hehe a r donl yt hel owmur murofvoi c e s ,i ndi s t i ngui s ha bl e ,dr oni ngon.I twa s i mpos s i bl et oc a t c hmor et ha nawor dhe r ea ndt he r e .The nt hevoi c e sr os ei na nge r ,a nds hehe a r dve r yc l e a r l y wha twa sgoi ngon. " Soi t ' sa l lr i ghtwhe nyoune e dmone y , "t hes t r a nge rwa ss a yi ngbi t t e r l y. " Li s t e nt ome , "Ke l l yt ol dhi mi naha r dvoi c e ." I fyouha dn' tgonec r a z ya nds pe ntt hous a ndsr i ghthe r ei n t hea r e a ,wewoul dn' tha veha dt ol i el owf orawhi l ea ta l l .I ' vet ol dyou,we ' l lbeba c ki nbus i ne s si naf e w we e ks ,onc ewe ' r es ur et he yc a n' tt r a c et hos ebi l l sba c kt ous . " " Andwha ta boutt hi s ?Youwa ntmet opr i ntoutha l fami l l i ons oyouc a npl a ypoke rwi t hs ome c a r ds ha r p! " " Iga vehi manot e ,don' tyouge ti t ?Theonl ywa yIc a nr e de e mi ti swi t hphonybi l l s . " " Oh,h e l l ,whydon' tyouj us tt e l lhi myoudon' tha vet hemone y?Le thi ms ueyouf ori t . " " Fool . "Ke l l ypa us e d,obvi ous l yga t he r i ngt het hr e a dsofhi spa t i e nc e ." He ' sapr of e s s i ona lga mbl e r ,Al a n, a ndme nl i ket ha tdon' tgot oc our tt oc ol l e c tpoke rde bt s . " " Af r a i dofabus t e dkne e c a p? "Al a ns ne e r e d. Ke l l yi gnor e dt heque s t i ona ndt hes ne e r ." Iha vet or e de e mt ha tnot e .AndPr e s c ot tha st hr e equa r t e r sofa mi l l i ont ol os e . " " Heha s n' tl os tye t , "Al a nr e mi nde dbi t t e r l y. " Hewi l l .Toni ght .Ime a nt obe a thi m. " " Andwha ti fyoudon' t ?Wha ti fhewa l ksa wa yf r omt het a bl ewi t hha l fami l l i oni nphonymone y?We ' l l ha vet hef e dsdownonuss of a s t–" " Don' tbes t upi d.He ' sgoi ngba c kt oFl or i daa f t e rt hi sl a s tga me .Be s i de s ,mone ypa s s e st hr oughhi sha nds s oqui c kl yt ha te ve ni fhef oundouti twa sphonyhe ' dne ve rknowwhe r ei tc a mef r om.We ' r ec ove r e de ve ni fI l os e .ButIwon' t . " Al a nwa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns a i df l a t l y," You' dbe t t e rwi nf r omt hef i r s tha ndt he n,be c a us eyou won' tha veha l fami l l i ont opl a ywi t h. " " Wha t ? " " Youhe a r dme .Wes us pe nde dope r a t i ons ,r e me mbe r ?Iha vej us te noughpa pe rhe r et opr i nta bouta hundr e da ndf i f t ygr a nd.Andourpa pe rs uppl i e r ' si nBa t onRouge . " " Da mn, "Ke l l ys a i ds of t l ya ndbi t t e r l y . " St i l lt hi nkyouc a nbe a thi m? "Al a nj e e r e d. " J us tpr i ntt hemone y.Howl ong? " " Wi t horwi t houts e r i a lnumbe r s ? " " Howl ong,da mmi t ? " " Af e whour s . " " I ' l lc omeba c kt he n. " " Li s t e n, "Al a ns a i ds udde nl y," a r eyo us ur et ha tc ous i nofyour swon' tt i pt hef e ds ?Yous a i dheha dt he pl a t e . " " Hewon' tt ur nmei n. "Dr yl y,Ke l l ya dde d," Hema yt r yt obl a c kma i lmel a t e r ,butwe ' l lde a lwi t ht ha ti f a ndwhe ni tha ppe ns . " Al a ngr unt e d. J e nni f e rhe a r dt hes udde nc r e a koft hedoorbe i ngope ne d,a ndf l a t t e ne dhe r s e l fa ga i ns tt hes ha c kt oa voi d be i ngs e e n.Ke l l ywoul dt ur ni nt heoppos i t edi r e c t i onwhe nhel e f t ,s hekne w,whi c hme a nthewoul dn' ts e ehe r – The n,he rmi ndf i xe donKe l l y,s hea br upt l yf e l tmor et ha nhe a r da not he rpr e s e nc e ,a ndbe f or es hec oul d move ,aha ndwa sc l a mpe df i r ml yove rhe rmout h. *** Da neha dma na ge dt os l e e pac oupl eofhour s ,a nda wokef e e l i ngf a rmor er e s t e dt ha nhe ' de xpe c t e d.He s howe r e da nds ha ve d,a ndwa sa boutt os t a r tma ki ngc a l l st of i nds ome onewhokne wabi ta boutpr e s s e swhe n t hephoner a ng. I twa sSkye ,c a l l i ngf r omt hephonehea l wa ysi ns i s t e doni nar e nt a lc a r . " Be t t e rge touthe r e , "hes a i dwi t houtpr e a mbl e ." Ourma nj us ts t r uc kof ft hr ought hewoodswi t haba g, a ndJ e nni f e r ' st r a i l i ngbe hi ndhi m. " " Da mn! " " Is a i ds ome t hi ngs t r onge rt ha nt ha t , "Skyet ol dhi m." She ' sbe i ngc a ut i ous ,s oi tma ybea l lr i ght .I ' l lke e p t he mbot hi ns i ght ,buta c c or di ngt oma psoft hea r e a ,t he y' r ehe a de di nt oas wa mp. " Da nel ooke da thi swa t c h,t hi nki ngr a pi dl y." I t ' l lt a kemea boutf i f t e e nmi nut e st oge tt he r e . " Skyedi dn' tque s t i ont heopt i mi s t i ce s t i ma t e ;hekne w how f a s tDa nedr ove ." Comei nf r om t he s out hwe s t , "hes a i d." As s umi ngt he y' ver e a c he dt he i rde s t i na t i o nbyt he n,I ' l lme e tyoua boutha l f wa ya l ongt ha t ol dt r a c kf r omt hema i nr oa dt ot hehous e .I fI ' mnott he r e ,he a de a s tt ot hes wa mp. " " Onmywa y, "Da nes a i d.Hewa s t e dnot i meont hedr i ve ,s e t t l i ngt heFe r r a r li nt oi t shi ghe s tge a ra nd hur t l i nga r ou ndc ur ve si nawa yt ha tma det het i r e swhi ne .Fi f t e e nmi nut e sa f t e rl e a vi nghi shot e l ,hewa spa r ke d onBe l l eRe t ourl a nd,outoft hec a r ,a ndhe a di ngt hr ought hewoods . Bot hpa r t ne r sha das t r ongs e ns eofdi r e c t i on,a ndne i t he rwa ss ur pr i s e dwhe nt he ye nc ount e r e de a c h ot he rne a rt hee dgeoft hes wa mp.Skyeha dbe e nmovi ngba c ka wa yf r omt hes wa mpa ndt owa r dt het r a c k,but

ha l t e da ndwa i t e df orDa net or e a c hhi m. " Whe r ei ss he ? "Da nea s ke di mme di a t e l y,ke e pi nghi svoi c el owwi t ha ne f f or t . " Ca l m down,s he ' sf i ne , "Skyet ol dhi m." Ke l l ywe nti nt oas ha c kont heot he rs i deoft hes wa mp,a nd s he ' ss e t t l e ddownr i ghtne xtt oi t ,l i s t e ni ng.Some one ' sbe e nl i vi ngi nt hes ha c k,byt hewa y,onema n. " " Tha tma ye xpl a i nwhyKe l l yha sonl yonepl a t e , "Da nes a i da bs e nt l ya st he ybe ga nwor ki ngt he i rwa y c a ut i ous l yt owa r dt hes wa mp." I fheha sapa r t ne r ,e a c hoft he mc oul dhol donepl a t eunt i lt he ypr i nt . " " Toma kes ur enobodyge t st oogr e e dy, "Skyemus e d." I tf i gur e s .Cr ooksdot e ndt ot hi nkt ha twa y. " Thunde rr umbl e ds udde nl y,a ndDa negl a nc e dupa tt hes ky,f r owni ng." As t or m.Tha t ' sa l lwene e d. " Hi spa r t ne rdi dn' tc omme nt ,butl e dt h ewa ya r oundt hee dgeoft hes wa mpunt i lt he ywe r ei napos i t i ont o s e et hes ha c kc l e a r l y,a ndJ e nni f e r ' ss t i l lf or mc r ouc he dbe ne a t haboa r de dupwi ndow. " She ' st ooc l os e , "Da nemut t e r e d. " Notunl e s ss hema ke sanoi s e . " Da nes hookhi she a d." Iwon' tt a ket hec ha nc e .Look,yous t i c kwi t hKe l l yi fhel e a ve sbe f or eIge tJ e nny outofhe r e . " " Wha ta boutt hepr e s s ? " " I fKe l l yl e a ve s ,f ol l owhi m.Idoubthe ' l lbol t ,butwedon' tne e dt ot a kec ha nc e snow.I ’ l lt a kec a r eoft he pr e s si fIc a n.I fi tc ome sdownt oac hoi c ebe t we e ndi s a bl i ngt hepr e s sorge t t i ngJ e nnys a f e l youtofhe r e ,t ohe l l wi t ht hepr e s s . " Skyenodde d,buts a i df l a t l y," Don' tr i s kyours ki nt oge ta tt hepr e s s . " Da nel e f thi spa r t ne r ' ss i de ,movi ngc a ut i ous l ya ndt r yi ngt oke e punde rc ove ra sl onga spos s i bl e .St i l l ,he wa sf or c e dt oc r os sagoodt we n t yf e e tofope na r e ai nor de rt oge tt oJ e nni f e r ,a ndhewa sha l f wa ya c r os st ha t whe nt hes ha c k' sdoorbe ga nt oc r e a kope n.Hec ove r e dt hel a s tt e nf e e twi t has pe e dt ha twoul dha ves ur pr i s e d hi mi fhe ' dbe e nc ons c i ousofi t ,a ndc l a mpe daha ndf i r ml yove rJ e nni f e r ' smout hj us ta sKe l l ys t e ppe doutoft he s ha c ka nds hove dt hedoorc l os e dbe hi ndhi m. Shes t i f f e ne da ga i ns thi mf orabr i e fmome nt ,t he nr e l a xe ds udde nl y,butDa nedi dn' tr e l e a s ehe runt i lhe wa ss ur eKe l l ywa swe l lonhi swa yba c kt ot hehous e . " Fa nc yme e t i ngyouhe r e , "J e nni f e rs a i di nabr e a t hl e s swhi s pe r .

Ei ght Da nehugge dhe rwor dl e s s l yf oramome nt ,gr a t e f ult ha ts hewoul de me r gef r omt hi sunha r me d.Fr omt he mome ntheha dhe a r dKe l l yha dapa r t ne r ,heha dknownt ha tt he r emus tI nde e dbeac ount e r f e i tope r a t i onof s omes c ope ,a ndt ha tme a ntKe l l ya ndhi spa r t ne rwou l dha veagr e a tde a lt ol os e .Me ni ns uc hpos i t i onst e nde d t opr ot e c tt he i ri nt e r e s t s ,of t e nwi t hvi ol e nc e . J e nni f e rc oul dha vegot t e nhe r s e l fki l l e d.Hewa i t e dunt i ls oundsf r om i ns i det hes ha c ki ndi c a t e dt he oc c upa ntwa sbus ya ndl e s sa ptt ohe a rt he m,t he nc a ughtJ e nni f e r ' sha nda nddr e whe rba c ka c r os st hec l e a r i ng a ndi nt ot hepa r t i a lc ove rofat r i oofc ypr e s st r e e s . " Wha tt hehe l la r eyoudoi ng,J e nny? "hemut t e r e d.Sheke pthe rvoi c el owa swe l l ." Is udde nl yr e a l i z e d whe r et hepr e s sha dt obe ,s oIf ol l owe dhi mt oma kes ur e .The r ewa snobodye l s e–" " Skyewa swa t c hi nghi m,J e nny.Mypa r t ne r . " " Idi dn' ts e ehi m. " " Youwe r e n' ts uppos e dt o, "Da net ol dhe rdr yl y. Shes mi l e dr e l uc t a nt l y." Idi dn' tt hi nkoft ha t .I ' ms or r y,Da ne .Buti t ' sa l lr i ghta f t e ra l l .Andt hepr e s si s i nt he r e .Is a wi t . " Hegl a nc e dt owa r dt hes ha c k,f r owni ng." Ine e dt oge ti n, "hes a i dha l ft ohi ms e l f . J e nni f e rhe l dont ohi sha ndt i ght l y." Youc a n' t .I t ' st ooda nge r ous .The r e ' sa not he rma n,a ndhedi dn' t s oundve r yni c e . " Da nehe s i t a t e d,s t i l lf r owni ng." Coul dyout e l li fi twa sa ne l e c t r i cpr e s s ? " " Ma nua l .Anol done . " " Da mn.AndI ' l lbe tKe l l yt ol dhi spa r t ne rt opr i ntouta nyt hi ngupt oami l l i onbuc ks . " J e nni f e rwa s n' ts ur ewhyi tma t t e r e d ,buts hewa sgl a dhe rr e c kl e s sa c t i onwa spr ovi di ngi nf or ma t i on Da newoul df i ndus e f ul ." Tha t ' swha thewa nt e d,butt heot he rma n–Ke l l yc a l l e dhi m Al a n–t ol dhi mt he r e wa s n' te noughpa pe rf ort ha tmu c h.Hes a i dhec oul dpr i ntonl yahundr e da ndf i f t yt hous a nd. " SomeofDa ne ' st e ns i one a s e d,a ndhes e ntame nt a lt ha nkst oLa dyLuc k." Good.Now,c omeon.I ' m ge t t i ngyououtofhe r e . " " Wa i t . "J e nni f e r ' sa t t e nt i onha dbe e nc a ughtbyaf l i c ke rofmove me ntbe t we e nt he ma ndt he i rpa t hba c k t owa r dt hehous e ,a nds hel ooke di nt ha tdi r e c t i onnow." Wec a n ' tgoba c kt hes a mewa y.Lookove rt he r e . " Hef ol l owe dhe rga z et ot he i rl e f t ,hi se ye sna r r owi ngonat e nf oot l onggr a yi s hs ha pet ha tha dc r a wl e d f r omt hewa t e ra ndont oahummoc kofda mpe a r t h.I twa sa na l l i ga t or ,a ndi tdi dn' tl ooka ti fi tha da nyi nt e nt i on ofmovi ngi nt hene a rf ut ur e .Andi twa spe r c he dont heonl ypa t c hofr e a s ona bl ydr yl a ndi nt ha tdi r e c t i on,wi t h mur kywa t e ra l la r ound. " Hepr oba bl ywoul dn' ta t t a c kus , "J e nni f e rs a i ds l owl y." The ydon' tus ua l l ybot he rpe opl e .But. . . " " But , "Da nea gr e e ddr yl y.Hel ooke dba c kove rhi ss houl de ra tt het hi c ke ni ngwoodsbe hi ndt he m." How a boutt ha twa y? " Shewa ss ha ki nghe rhe a d." Thi ss wa mpi sf e dbya nof f s hootoft heCa l c a s i e uRi ve r .I fwegot ha twa y, we ' l lha vet oc r os si t ,a nda f t e ra l lt her a i nwe ' veha dl a t e l y,we ' dha vet oc i r c l ea l lt hewa yba c kt ot hema i nr oa d t of i ndas a f ewa ya c r os s . " Da nel ooke dt ohi sr i ght ,s t udyi ngt hee e r i el a nds c a peoft hes wa mp." Ca nwec i r c l et hes wa mpt ha t

wa y? " " I t ' l lt a kemor et ha na nhourt owor kourwa ya r ound, "s het ol dhi m." Buti tpa s s a bl ea nds a f e r . " Hel ooke da the rwi t has mi l e ." Iga t he ryouknowt hi sgodf or s a ke npl a c el i ket heba c kofyourha nd? " " Ipr a c t i c a l l ygr e wuphe r e , "s hes a i d,r e t ur ni nghi ss mi l e ." Weus e dt opl a yga me si nt hes wa mp. " Hes ho okhi she a dal i t t l e ,buts a i d," Youl e a dt hewa y,t he n. " Hol di n ghi sha nd,J e nni f e rl e dt hewa y,t a ki ngt he mt owa r dt hee a s ta ndwor ki nghe rwa yc a r e f ul l ya l ong apa t hs her e me mbe r e df r om c hi l dhood.Thes wa mpha dc ha nge ds i nc et he n,ofc our s e ,a nds hef oundhe r s e l f f or c e dt os e a r c hf ora l t e r na t epa t hsf r omt i met ot i mebe c a us eaf a l l e nt r e et ha tha donc ebe e nabr i dgeha dr ot t e d a ndc ol l a ps e di nt ot hewa t e r ,orbe c a us ear e me mbe r e dhummoc kwa snowbe ne a t ht hes ur f a c e . Shel e dt he mwi t houtf l i nc hi ngpa s tas e c onda l l i ga t or ,a ndpa us e donc ea sawa t e rmoc c a s i ns l i t he r e dby nomor et ha nt wof e e ta wa y.Da ne ,wa t c hi nghe r ,wa sf a s c i na t e dbyhe rc ompos ur e .Hekne wt ha tt he r ewa sno pa r t i c ul a rvi r t uei na c c e pt i ngwha twa sf a mi l i a r–a ndt hi ss wa mpwa sde f i ni t e l yf a mi l i a rt oJ e nni f e r .St i l l ,t he r e c kl e s s ne s sofyout ha l mos ta l wa ysga vewa yt ot hec a ut i ou sa wa r e ne s sofa dul t hood,a ndmor et ha none c hi l di s hbr a ve r ybe c a meaf e a ri nl a t e rye a r s . Butnotwi t hJ e nni f e r .Sheha dt r uec our a ge ,het hought ,t heki ndofc our a get ha twa si ns t i nc t i vea nd una wa r e ,t ha ta c c e pt e ds ma l lda nge r sa ndl a r geone swi t houtt h ought .Heha dknownt ha ta l r e a dy,t hough.She l ove dhi m–a ndhowmuc hc our a geha dbe e nde ma nde dofhe rt ot a ket ha tr i s k? Wi t hi nf i f t e e nmi nut e s ,t he ywe r ec ompl e t e l youtofs i ghtoft hes ha c kKe l l yha dl e dt he mt o,a ndt he s c e nt sa nds oundsoft hes wa mpc l os e da r oun dt he ml i keahot ,we tbl a nke t .I twa sda r ke rnow,t het a l lt r e e sa l l a r oundbl oc ki ngmos toft hes ky . J e nni f e rpa us e d,l ooki nga r ounds l owl y,a ndDa nef e l ti tt hemome nts hedi d.St i l l ne s s .Ana br upts i l e nc e a si fa l lt hebi r dsa nda ni ma l soft hes wa mpha ds udde nl ybe c omemut e .Heha dn' tr e a l i z e dhowma nys ounds ha df i l l e dt hea i runt i lt he ywe r egone ,l e a vi ngat hi c k,he a vys i l e nc ebe hi nd. " As t or m, "J e nni f e rs a i d,he rt onenor ma lnowt ha tt he ywe r ef a rf r oml i s t e ni nge a r s ." Andaba done ,I t hi nk.We ' l lne ve rma kei ta r oundt hes wa mpi nt i me . "Shel ooke da thi m,he s i t a t e d." Iknowapl a c ea boutf i ve mi nut e sf r omhe r e ,s he l t e r .Butwema ybes t uc kt he r ef orhour s . " Da negl a nc e da thi swa t c h,me nt a l l yc a l c ul a t i ng.Af t e rf ournow:heha dpr omi s e dt opl a yt hef i na lga me wi t hKe l l ys ome t i mea r oundni net oni ght .Hewa s n' tpa r t i c ul a r l yc onc e r ne da boutbe i ngl a t e .Thes t or mc oul d s e r vea sa ne xc us ei fhene e de done .AndSkyewoul dn' te xpe c tt os e ehi munt i lhes a whi m." Le t ' sgof ori t , "he t ol dJ e nni f e r . Shel e dt hewa y,a ngl i ngs l i ght l ya wa yf r omt hes wa mpa ndi nt ot hef or e s tofmi xe doa k,e l ma ndc ypr e s s t r e e s .Thef oot i ngbe ne a t ht he mgr a dua l l ybe c a memor es e c ur e ,t houghs t i l lda mp.Thunde rr umbl e dmor ei ns i s t e nt l ynow,a ndi nt het r e e sa bov eas udde nwi nds na t c he da tt hel e a ve sa ndbr a nc he s . Ther a i nhi tt he mwhe nt he ywe r es t i l lmor et ha nt we nt yya r dsf r omas ma l ls t r uc t ur et ha ta ppe a r e dl i t t l e mor es t ur dyt ha nKe l l yss ha c k,a ndbyt het i met he ypus he dope nt hedoora ndl ur c he di ns i det he ywe r ebot h s oa ke d. Da nef or c e dt hedoors hutbe hi ndt he m,l e a ni ngi nt oi tbe c a us eoft hebui l di nggus t sofwi nd,a ndwhe n t hedoorf i na l l yc a ughthet ur ne dt of i ndJ e nni f e rl i ght i ngake r os e nel a mp.Ther oomha dbe e npi t c hda r kduet o woode ns hut t e r sf a s t e ne ds e c ur e l yove rt het wowi ndows . " We l c omet oNa ma ' shome . "s hes a i ds ome wha tbr e a t hl e s s l y. Hel ooke da r ound,s ur pr i s e dt of i ndt hepl a c emuc hmor ec omf or t a bl et ha nhe ' de xpe c t e d.The r ewa sa pol i s he dwoode nt a bl ea ndt woc ha i r si nt hes i ngl er oom,a l ongwi t hana r r owc otha l fhi dde nbe hi ndas t a r t l i ng a ndga r i s hChi ne s es c r e e nove rf i vef e e tt a l la nda tl e a s tt ha twi d e .Wove nr ugsdot t e dt hewoodf l oor ,a l ongwi t h at hi c k,f l uf f yonebe f or et heh e a r t h,a ndt hef i r e pl a c ewa sma deofr i ve rr oc k,wi t hage ne r ouss uppl yofc ut wooda ndki ndl i ngs t a c ke dbe s i dei t .She l ve sl i ne donewa l l ,hol di nge ni gma t i c a l l yl a be l e dgl a s sj a r sa ndc a nsof f ood,a ndac oupl eofc a bi ne t shi dwha t e ve rt he yc ont a i ne d.The r ea sa nol di r ons t ove ,c ol da ndbl a c k,a nd br i ghtor a ngec ur t a i nsa tbot hwi ndows . " Who' sNa ma ? "Da nea s ke d,c ons c i ousofbot ht heda mpa ndas ur pr i s i ngc hi l li nt her oom. " She ' saCa j unwi t c hwoma n. " Da nes t a r e da the r ." You' r eki ddi ng. " J e nni f e rs ol e mnl yr e t ur ne dhi si nc r e dul ousga z e ." Se r i ous l y.She ' sl i ve dont hee dgeoft hes wa mpf or t hi r t yye a r s .Da dt r i e dt or e l oc a t ehe rha l fadoz e nt i me s ,butf i na l l yga veup.He rpr e s e nc ehe r ege ne r a l l yke e ps poa c h e r soutoft hes wa mp.Thepe opl ea r oundhe r ebe l i e vet hepl a c ei sc ur s e d.Ke l l yc oul dn' tha vepi c ke da be t t e rs pott ohi dehi spr e s s . " " 7st hepl a c ec ur s e d? " " De pe ndsonyourpoi ntofvi e w.Si nc ee ve r ybodybe l i e ve si ta nds t a ysa wa y–j us twha tNa mawa nt e d– t he nIs uppos eyouc oul dc a l li tc ur s e d. " " You' v ebe e nhe r ebe f or e , "Da nenot e d. " Sur e .It ol dyouIpr a c t i c a l l ygr e wupi na nda r oundt hes wa mp.Na maa ndI ' vebe e nf r i e ndsf orye a r s . " Gr a ve l y,s hea dde d," Ie ve nc a met ohe rwhe nIwa st we l vet oge tapot i ont oma keaboyf a l li nl ovewi t hme . " " Di di twor k? " " Hec a r r i e dmybooksf oras e me s t e ra f t e rt ha t .I tdi dn' tl a s t ,t hough.Lovene ve rdoe swhe nyou' r e t we l ve . " Abr up t l yc ons c i ousofhowhe rbl ous ec l ungwe t l yt ot her i c hc ur ve sbe ne a t hi t ,Da nec l e a r e dhi st hr oa t a ndya nke dhi sga z ea wa yf r omhe rt ot hef i r e pl a c e ." Woul dNa mami ndi fIbui l taf i r e ?I t ' sc hi l l yi nhe r e . " " Shewoul dn' tmi nd. "J e nni f e rhe s i t a t e d,t he ns t e ppe doutofhe rr ui ne ds a nda l sa ndhe a de dt owa r dt he f ol di ngs c r e e nbyt hec ot ." I ' mgoi ngt oge toutoft he s ewe tc l ot he s , "s hes a i ds t e a di l y." Yous houl dge toutof your s ,t oo. "

Conc e nt r a t i ngonbui l di ngt hef i r e ,Da nef oughtt heur get oa gr e ewi t hhe r .Her e mi nde dhi ms e l fwi t ha l l t hef or c ehec oul dmus t e rt ha tJ e nni f e rdi dn' tknow t het r ut hofhi sl i f eye t ,di dn' tknow t ha thewa sde e pl y c ommi t t e dt ohi sma s que r a de .Shedi dn' te ve nknowt he r ewasama s que r a de ,a ndhec oul dn' te xpl a i nye t .Unt i l hec oul d. . . Hi swhi t es hi r ts t uc kt ohi munc omf o r t a bl y.Heha dl e f tt hehot e li ns uc hahur r yt ha theha dn' tputona j a c ke tort i e ,s obot hhi ss hi r ta ndunde r s hi r tha dbe e ns oa ke di nt hedownpour .Hedi dn' tt r us thi ms e l ft or e move e ve nt het ops hi r t ,buthedi dt a k eamome ntt opul lof fhi sdr e nc he ds hoe sa nds oc ks ,a nds e tt he mt oones i de . " Whe r ei sNa manow? "hema na ge dt oa s k,f e e di ngki ndl i ngi nt ot hef l a me shi sl i ght e rha di gni t e d. " I nSe a t t l ewi t hhe rs i s t e r , "J e nni f e rc a l l e dba c ke a s i l y." Sheha t e st h i spl a c ei nt hes umme r . " Da negl a nc e dupa sar umbl eoft hunde ra nda c c ompa nyi nggus tofwi nds hookt hes t r uc t ur e ." Idon' t bl a mehe r .Ar eyous ur ehe rhous ec a nhol dupunde ras t or m? " " Ve r ys ur e .I t ' ss t oodf ort hi r t yye a r s ,a ndwe a t he r e ds e ve r a lhur r i c a ne s .We ' r es a f ee nough. " Hel i s t e ne dt ot hes t or mr a gi ngout s i de ,hopi ngs hewa sr i ght .Thef i r ewa sc r a c kl i ngl oudl ynow.a ndhe pi l e ds e ve r a loft hec utl ogsove rt heki ndl i ngunt i li tbur ne ds t e a di l y.The n,r e s t l e s s ,her os et ohi sf e e ta nd wa nde r e dove rt ol ooka tt hes he l ve s ,t r yi ngnott ot hi nkofJ e nni f e rt a ki nghe rc l ot he sof fbe hi ndt hef l i ms y s c r e e nont heot he rs i deoft hes ma l lr oom. " The r es houl dbea tl e a s tabot t l eofwi nea nds omegl a s s e si nt ha tc a bi ne tt oyourr i ght , "s hes a i d. He rvoi c ewa sc l os e rnow,buthedi dn' tt ur nt ol ooka the r .I ns t e a d,heope ne dt hec a bi ne ti ndi c a t e d,f i ndi ngt hewi nea ndanumbe rofde l i c a t egl a s s e s . " Thi si save r ys t r a ngepl a c e , "hemut t e r e d. J e nni f e rha l fl a ughe d,dr a pi nghe rc l ot he sove rt heba c kofac ha i rt odr ybe f or emovi ngt os i nkdownon t het hi c kr ugi nf r ontoft hehe a r t h.Sheha dwr a ppe dt hequi l tf r omt hec ota r oundhe r ,a ndf e l tmor et ha nal i t t l e vul ne r a bl e ." Youme a nbe c a us eoft heoddmi xt ur eoft hi ngs ? "s hea s ke d,ke e pi nghe rvoi c el i ghtwi t ha ne f f or t . " I t ' sve r yl i keNa ma ,t ha tmi xt ur e .Ke r os e nel a mpsa ndi r ons t ove s ,a l ongwi t hde l i c a t egl a s s e sa ndbr i ght c ol or s . " " Andl ovepot i onsont hes he l f , "hes a i d,ha vi ngno t i c e dapa r t i c ul a rl a be l . " Ma ybeIs houl dputs omeoft ha ti nt oyourwi ne , "s hemur mur e d." I twor ke dwhe nIwa st we l ve . "She t r i e dt ol a ugh ,buti tdi dn' tqui t ec omeof f . Da net ur ne dt owa r dhe r ,hol di ngt hebot t l ea ndt wogl a s s e s ,a ndwe nts t i l lwhe nhes a whe r .Shes e e me d I mpos s i bl yf r a gi l e ,wr a ppe di nac ol or f ulqui l t ,t hef i r e l i ghtf l i c ke r i ngove rhe rba r es houl de r sa nde xqui s i t ef a c e . Shewa sde f e ns e l e s s ,avul ne r a bl ec ur vet ohe rl i ps ,e ye ss ha dowe d.He rgol de nha i r ,dr yi ngi nt hehe a toft he f i r e ,f e l love rhe rs houl de r si nbur ni s he dwa v e s . Af t e ramome nt ,Da newe ntove ra nds a nkdownbe s i dehe ront her ug,notqui t et ouc hi nghe r .He unc or ke dt hewi nebot t l ea ndpo ur e dr ubyl i qui di nt ot het wogl a s s e s .Se t t i ngt hebot t l ea s i de ,heha nde dhe rone gl a s sa ndt ookt heot he rhi ms e l f ." J e nny,doyoudoubtt ha tIl oveyou? " " No. "Butt hegl a nc es hes e nthi mwa sunc e r t a i n.Shes i ppe dhe rwi ne ,a ddi ng," Iknowt hi sbus i ne s swi t h Ke l l yi smor ei mpor t a ntr i ghtnow–" " No,i tI s n' t . "Hes wor es of t l y." Notmor ei mpor t a nt .I t ' sj us tt ha tyoudon' tknowt hewhol es t or y,a nd unt i lyoudo..." " Wha t ? "Shet ur ne dhe rhe a dt ol ooka thi m." Ar eyous os ur et he s ea ns we r sofyour sa r egoi ngt oma kea di f f e r e nc e ,Da ne ?Howc oul dt he y? " Hewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns a i dr oughl y," Coul dyoul i vewi t haga mbl e r ,J e nny? " " Wi t hyou,ye s , "s hea ns we r e ds i mpl y. Hewa nt e dt oa s k.Cany oul i v ewi t hs e c r e t s ?Wi t hl i e sandde c e pt i ons ?Notbe t we e nus–butal lar ound us ?Coul dy o ul ov emee v e ni nt hef ac eoft hat ?Buthec oul dn' ta s k;apr omi s eke pthi ms i l e nt ,a ndheha dne ve r br oke napr omi s e . " Da ne ? " " Idon' twa ntyout or e gr e ta nyt hi ng,hone y,t ha t ' sa l l . "Heke pthi svoi c ee ve n. Shewa si nc r e dul ous ." Howc oul dIr e gr e tl ovi ngyou? " Hes e thi sgl a s sa s i de ,hi sha ndsl i f t i ngt of r a mehe rf a c e ." It hi nkI ' ddi ei ft ha tha ppe ne d, "hes a i d hus ki l y,ga z i n gi nt ohe rs ha dowe dbl uee ye s ." It hi nkt ha t ' swha tI ' ma f r a i dof . " " I two n' tha ppe n. "Sheputhe rowngl a s sa s i debl i ndl y,bot hhe rha ndsl i f t i ngt ohi sbr oa dc he s t .Wi t h out e ve nt hi nki nga bouti t ,s hebe ga nunbut t oni n ghi sda mps hi r t ,he rf i nge r sni mbl ede s pi t et het r e mor st ha ts hook t he m." Il oveyou,Da ne .Ic oul dne ve rr e gr e ti t . " Hewa ss t i l lf oramome nt ,t he nbe nthi she a da ndki s s e dhe r .Ge nt l ya tf i r s t ,hi sl i pst oye dwi t hhe r s , s e duc t i vea ndnotqui t et e a s i ng .Hi st onguegl i de da l ongt hes e ns i t i vei nne rs ur f a c eofhe rl i ps ,a ndhe rc ool mout hope ne dt ohi m.he a t i ngun de rt heI nc r e a s i ngde ma ndofhi s . J e nni f e rf e l thi sha ndss l i pdownt ohe rba r es houl de r s ,whi l ehe rownc ope dwi t ht her e ma i ni ngbut t ons ofhi ss hi r ta n dt ugge di tf r e eofhi spa nt s .Shewa sl os ti nt het a s t eofhi m,wi ne s we e ta nddr uggi ng,c a ughtby t hehe a te ma na t i ngf r omhi sbi g,ha r dbodya nda l mos tbur ni nghe r .Shewa sba r e l ya wa r eoft hes t or mout s i de , oft hunde ra ndl i ght ni nga ndwi nda ndt heha r s hr a t t l eofr a i nont het i nr oof . Shewa sa wa r eonl yofhi m,a ndoft hebui l di ngf i r et r a ppe dwi t hi nt he mbot h. Shef e l thi ms hr ugt heunbut t one ds h i r tof fa ndt os sI ta s i de ,a ndhi smout hl i f t e df r om he r ss ot ha the c oul dpe e lt heunde r s hi r tof fove rhi she a d.He rha ndst ouc he dhi sba r ec he s ta l mos tt e nt a t i ve l y,he rs e ns e s f l a r i nga tt hee r ot i cbr us hofha i r ,a nds hel ooke da thi mt hr oughda z e de ye s ,c ons c i ousofa na l mos tpr i mi t i ve s hoc k.Be c a us ehewa si nva r i a bl ys e mi f or ma l l ydr e s s e d,s hewa ss ome how s ur pr i s e dbyt hepowe r f ul ,ha i r r oughe ne de x pa ns eofhi sc he s t . Hi sha l f na ke dbodyma dehe rmout hgodr y,he rt hr oa tt i ght e n,a nds hec oul ds c a r c e l ybr e a t he .Hewa s

be a ut i f uli nawa ys he ' dne ve rknownama nc oul dbe ,I nawa yt ha tt ugge da te ve r yt hi ngf e ma l ei nhe r ,ma ki ng he ra c ut e l ya wa r eofhe rownbody.Thebl a c kha i rc ove r i nghi sc he s twa sa l mos tape l t ,t hi c ka nds of tbe ne a t h he rf i nge r s ,a nds hec oul ds e ehi spowe rnowI nt heha r dmus c l e spa ddi nghi st a nne ds houl de r sa ndc or di nghi s f or e a r ms . Hec oul dbr e a khe r ,s her e a l i z e dva gue l y,he rt r e mbl i ngf i nge r sc ompul s i ve l ys t r oki ngove rhi sc he s t ,hi s r i bsa ndha r d,f l a ts t oma c h.Heha daki ndofna t ur a lphys i c a ls t r e ngt ht ha tf e wme nc oul dboa s t ,t heki ndt ha t woul dr e qui r eac ons c i ouse f f or tt ot e mpe r .Nowonde rhewa ss oc a l ma nda l mos tl a z yont hes ur f a c e ,s he t hought .Heha dt obes oc ont r ol l e d,be c a us ei fhee ve ra l l owe dh i ms e l faphys i c a lout l e tf ors t r onge mot i ons... " J e nny? "heque s t i one dhus ki l y,unmo vi ng,hi sha ndshol di nghe rs houl de r sge nt l y. Shel i f t e dhe rga z et ot hevi vi ds he e nofhi se ye s ,r e a l i z i ngt ha theha ds e e nhe ri ns t i nc t i ves hoc k.Buthe r t r us tI nhi mwa sc ompl e t e ,a nda f t e rt hef i r s tj ol ts hef e l tnof e a rofhi ss t r e ngt h,nowa r i ne s sorunc e r t a i nt y.He r a r mswr e a t he dhi sne c ka nds her os eonhe rkne e s ,he rs l e nde rbodypr e s s i nga ga i ns thi m,onl yt hequi l ts t i l l e nc i r c l i nghe rs e pa r a t i ngt he ma bovet hewa i s t . " Il oveyou, "s hewhi s pe r e da ga i ns thi sl i ps . Da ne ' sa r mswr a ppe da r oundhe r ,ha r dbutge nt l e ,hol di nghe rt i ght l ya ga i ns thi m.Hi smout hs l a n t e d a c r os she r s ,de e pe ni ngt hec ont a c tbe t we e nt he m,hi st onguei nva di ng,pos s e s s i ng. J e nni f e rf e l the r s e l fbe i nge a s e dba c ko nt ot hes of the a r t hr ug,a nda nunc ons c i ousmur murofpr ot e s tc a me t hr oa t i l yf r omhe rwhe nhi smout hl i f t e df r omhe r s .Butt he ns heope ne dhe re ye sa ndl ooke dupa thi m,a ndwha t s hes a wi nhi sf a c es t ol ewha tl i t t l er e ma i ni ngbr e a t hs hec oul dc l a i m.Sheha dne ve rs e e ns uc hhunge ri nama n, s uc hI nt e ns i t y,hi se ye swe r ea l i v ewi t hi ta ndf i xe donhe rf a c ea si fnot hi nge l s ei nt hewor l dma t t e r e d. Hi sbi gha ndswe ntt ot hequi l ta ndpul l e di tge nt l yf r oma r oundhe r ,ope ni ngt hec ove r i nga si fs hewe r e s omegi f tbr i ght l ywr a ppe di ns hi ni ngpa pe r ,ade l i c a t et hi ngt obet r e a s ur e d.Ahoa r s e ,r a ws ounde s c a pe dhi m whe ns hel a yna ke dbe s i dehi m,t hef i r e l i ghtf l i c ke r i ngove rhe rs l e nde rbutr i c hl yc ur ve dbody,a ndhi sha nd s hookal i t t l ea si ts l i dupove rh e rr i bst oc upaf ul l ,a c hi ngbr e a s t . " God, you' r ebe a ut i f ul , "hes a i di nar a s pi ngvoi c es ol ows heJ us tba r e l yhe a r di t . Shega s pe da tt hes hoc kofpl e a s ur ea shet ouc he dhe r ,a ndwhe nt her oughpa dofhi st humbbr us he dhe r t i ght e ni ngni ppl es hef e l ta ne xpl os i onofhe a ti ns i dehe r .Shec l ut c he dhi ss houl de r swi l dl y,he rs e ns e ss pi nni ng, onl yaf i r eofne e di ns i dehe rt of i l lt hegr owi nga c heofe mpt i ne s s .The nhi smout hwa sonhe r ,s l i di nghot l y ove rhe rf e ve r i s hs ki n,wr i ngi ngawor dl e s sc r yf r omhe rwhe ni tc a pt ur e dhe rni ppl e .Thes wi r l i ngc a r e s sofhi s t ongues e ntwa ve sofpl e a s ur et hr oughhe r ,a nds hec oul dha r dl ybe a rt obes t i l li nt her e s t l e s ss t or m ofhe r de s i r e . J e nni f e rha dne ve rr e a l i z e dhe rbodywa sc a pa bl eofs uc hf e e l i ngs .Shewa sdi z z ywi t ht hec l a s hof pl e a s ur ea ndt or me nt ,a nds hewoul dha vea s ke dwhyhewa sdo i ngt hi st ohe ri fs hec oul dha vef oundt hebr e a t h f ori t .Di ml y,s hehe a r ds of ts ounds ,l i ket hemur mur sofaki t t e n,s oundst ha ts e e me dt oi nf l a mehi me ve nmor e a shi smout hbe c a mer oughe r ,t heha ndss t r oki ngove rhe rbodymor ei ns i s t e nt . I toc c u r r e dt ohe ronl yva gue l yt ha tt hes oundswe r ec omi ngf r omhe r . Shec oul df e e loneofhi sha ndsmovi nga l onghe rt hi ghswi t has ur e ,e nt i c i ngt ouc h,unt i lhe rl e gspa r t e d f orhi m,a ndhe rbodya r c he di nahe l pl e s sr e a c t i onwhe nhi sf i n ge r ss e t t l e dge nt l yove rt hee mpt ya c hebe t we e n t he m.Shet houghthe re nt i r ebo dywa spul s i ng,aqui c ke ni nghe a r t be a tofne e d,a ndhi ss l ow,s t e a dyc a r e s swa s dr i vi nghe routofhe rmi nd. Hi smout hmove df r omonebr e a s tt ot heot he r ,hungr y,t het ouc hma dde ni nghe runt i lhe rna i l sbi ti nt o hi ss houl de r sa nds hewr i t he dwi t hamoa n.Te ns i onbui l tI ns i dehe r ,wi ndi ngt i ght e ra ndt i ght e r ,a ndhe rbody be l onge dt os ome onee l s e ,nott ohe r ,be c a us es hec oul dn' tc ont r oli t . " Da ne. . . "s hema na ge ds ha ki l yi navoi c et ha ta l mos twa s n' tt he r e ,c e r t a i nt ha ts hewa sdyi ngbe c a us e f e e l i ngst hi si nt e ns ec oul donl yde ma ndde a t ha st he i rpr i c e .Buts hewa suna bl et os a ymor et ha nhi sna me ,onl y awi l dc r yt or nf r omhe rt hr oa ta st het e ns i ons na ppe dvi ol e nt l ya ndwa ve sofmi ndnumbi ngpl e a s ur es we pto ve r he r . I nt hes t unne da f t e r ma t hoft ha te xpl os i on,s hel a yl i mpl yt r yi ngt oc a t c hhe rbr e a t h,a wa r eofhi smove me nta shes t r i ppe dt her e ma i nde rofhi sc l ot hi ngof fa ndt os s e di ta s i de .The nhi smout ha ndha ndswe r eonhe r onc emor e ,br e a t hi ngont hee mbe r sofhe rpa s s i onunt i ls hewa sbur ni nga ga i n,pul s i nga ne wwi t hane e dt ha t wa se ve nde e pe ra nds t r onge rt ha nbe f or e . Theunf a mi l i a rr e s pons eofhe rbodyha dbl i nde dhe rbe f or e ,butnows hec oul ds e ns ea ndf e e lDa ne ' s de s i r e ,a ndt ha ta wa r e ne s ss e nthe rownhun ge rs oa r i ng.Hi sbi g,powe r f ulbodywa ss ha ki ng,hi ss ki ns ohoti t wa sa si famor t a lf e ve rr a ge di ns i dehi m.Andhi se ye s ,hi sbe a ut i f ule ye s ,we r el umi nousa ndf i e r c e ,i nt e nton he rf a c e ,he rbody. J e nni f e ra l mos ts obbe da l oudwhe nhef i na l l yr os ea bovehe r ,a nds hec r a dl e dhi sbodye a ge r l y,t he s moot hs l i deofhi sha r dhi psa ga i ns the ri nne rt hi ghsane wa ndwe l c omec a r e s s .Shef e l tabl untpr e s s ur ea ga i ns t he rwe tf l e s h,a ndt he nhe rbodywa syi e l di ng,a c c e pt i nghi mwi t ha ne a s et ha ta l mos ts hoc ke dhe r ;i twa sa si f s heha dbe e nwa i t i ngf orhi m,f ort hi s .Thee mpt i ne s si ns i dehe rwa sf i l l i ngwi t hhi m,wi t ht hehe a ta nd t hr obbi ngpowe rofhi m,a nds hea r c he dupi ns t i nc t i ve l yt oha vemor eofhi m,a l lofhi m. Ani na r t i c ul a t egr oa nr a s pe df r om Da ne ' st hr oa t ,a ndhi sf a c et i ght e ne di nas pa s m ofi nt e ns epl e a s ur e . " Lor d,J e nny, "hewhi s pe r e dr oughl y,hi sha ndst a ngl i ngi nhe rha i ra shebor ehe rba c kdowni nt ot hequi l ta nd r ug,ki s s i nghe rde e pl y. Shepr obe dhi ss houl de r sa ndba c kc ompul s i ve l y,he rmout hwi l dunde rhi sa shebe ga nmovi ngi n s i de he r .Wha ts heha df e l tbe f or ewa snot hi ngc ompa r e dt ot hi s ,a nds hewa st ot a l l yunpr e pa r e df ort hes ha t t e r i ng s e ns a t i onsofj oi ni ngt ha twe r es os t a r kl yi nt i ma t es hec oul donl ya c c e ptt he m wi t hwonde ra ndama dl ye s c a l a t i nge xc i t e me nt . He a tbui l ti ns i dehe rwi t he ve r ypowe r f ult hr us tofhi sbody,unt i ls hec oul dn' ts t a ndi ta nyl onge r .He

c a ughthe rwor dl e s sc r ywi t hhi smout h,hi sr a gge dgr oa nmi ngl i ngwi t hhe rs of t e rwhi mpe r ,bur yi nghi ms e l f wi t hi nhe ra spl e a s ur ej ol t e dt hr o ught he mbo t hl i kes hoc kwa ve s . *** Hewa sabi gma n,a ndhe a vy,butJ e nni f e rwa sc ons c i ousofnodi s c omf or ta she rhe a r ts l owe d,he r br e a t hi ngs t e a di e d.Shes l i dhe rpa l msupov e rhi sba c ka nds houl de r s ,l ovi ngt hef e e lofhi sda mpbr onz es ki n, t heha r dmus c l e st ha twe r er e l a xe dnow.Hi sf i nge r swe r es t i l lt hr e a de dt hr oughhe rha i r ,movi ngc a r e s s i ngl y a ga i ns the rs c a l p,a nds hewa nt e dt oa r c hhe rba c kl i keac a ti nt h ewa r m,s l e e pya f t e r ma t hofpl e a s ur e . Da nee a s e dupont ohi se l bowsa ndki s s e dhe r ,al ong,s l ow,de e pki s st ha ts e e me dt obr a ndhe ri nde l i bl y, a ndwhe nhel i f t e dhi she a da ga i n,hi se ye swe r ebr i l l i a nt ." Il ov eyou.J e nny, "hemur mur e d,t hewor dsr umbl i ng f r omde e pi ns i dehi m. " Il oveyout oo, "s het ol dhi mhus ki l y. " You' dbe t t e r . "Hi smout hwa sc ur ve di nas mi l et ha twa sf a i nt l yhumor ousa ndhe a r t s t oppi ngl yma l e . " Youc oul dn' tke e pmea wa yf r omyounowwi t hal oa de dgun. " J e nni f e r ,us ua l l ypr i c kl ywhe r ehe ri n de pe nde nc ewa sc onc e r ne d,f oundhe r s e l ft hor oughl ye nj oyi nghi s pos s e s s i ve ne s s .Smi l i ngunc ons c i ous l y,s hes a i d," Ar eyougoi ngt obeaj e a l ousl ove r ? " " Smi l el i ket ha ta ta not he rma na ndIwi l lbe . "Hel a ughe ds of t l y,as ounde dge dwi t haki ndofs ur pr i s e ." I c a n' ts e e mt oc ont r olmyi ns t i nc t swhe r eyou' r ec onc e r ne d. " " Wha tI ns t i nc t sa r et hos e ? "s hea s ke di nnoc e nt l y. " Theone sbor ni nt hec a ve . "Hi sf i nge r st i ght e ne di nhe rha i r ,l i f t i nghe rhe a dupf ora not he roft hos e de e p,dr uggi ngki s s e s .I nar oughvoi c e ,hemut t e r e da ga i ns the rl i ps ," Howc a nawoma ns ode l i c a t ea ndl a dyl i ke a syoua r ema kemef e e ll i kes omeha l f t a me da ni ma l ? " " Idon' tknow,butIl ovei t . "He re ye sgl e a me dupa thi m,t heda r ke ne ds he e noft he mc a t c hi nga nd r e f l e c t i ngt hef i r e l i ght .Oneofhe rha ndsgl i de duphi ss pi ne ,ma ki ngt hemus c l e sofhi sba c kr i ppl ei nas t r ong r e s pons e ,a ndhe rs mi l ewi de ne da shec a ughthi sbr e a t h." Al i oni ns umme r , "s hemur mur e dt hr oa t i l y," bl a c kma ne da ndbe a ut i f ul .Tha t ' swha tyoua r e ,Da ne .Ac a t...a ndaki ng. "He re ye sbe ga nt oc l os ea ss hef e l tt he s t i r r i ngr e ne wa lofne e d,a ndhe rbodyi ns t i nc t i ve l yhe l dhi mmor et i ght l y. Da nec a ughthi sbr e a t ha ga i n,hi se nt i r ebodyr e a c t i ngwi l dl yt ot ha thoti nne rc a r e s s ,movi nga ga i ns the r a ndi ns i dehe rwi t hac ompul s i onhewa s n' ta boutt of i ght .On l yt hes ha r pe dgeofhi sne e df orhe rha dbe e n bl unt e d,a ndhel os thi ms e l fnowi nt hes i l ke nhe a tofhe rbody. *** The ywe r ebot hr e l uc t a ntt or e t ur nt oot he rde ma ndsont he m,butt hes t or mout s i dedi e da tl a s t ,l i ket he f i r ei nt hehe a r t h,a ndi twa st i mef ort he mt ol e a ve . " I t ' l lbeda r kwi t hi na nhour , "J e nni f e rs a i d,s t a ndi ngi nt heope ndoor wa y,f ul l ydr e s s e d." Won' tyour pa r t ne rbewor r i e da boutyou? " Da nec a meupbe hi ndhe ra ndwr a ppe dhi sa r msa r oundhe r ,r e s t i nghi sc hi nont het opofhe rhe a d." No, " her e pl i e d." He ' l lknowI ' mnoti nt r oubl e . " " How? "s hea s ke dc ur i ous l y. Hehe s i t a t e d,t he ns a i d," Wewe r ebot houtt he r ea tKe l l y' ss ha c k.Skyef ol l owe dKe l l yba c kt ot he hous e . " Shea c c e pt e dt hee xpl a na t i on,t he ns a i d," I t ' l lbeove rt oni ght ?You' r es ur eoft ha t ? " " Ye s . " " Whydoyouha vet opl a ya ga i ns thi mnow?Si nc eyouknowwhe r et hepr e s si s ,Ime a n. " " I t ' l lbee a s i e rt oma keac a s ea ga i ns thi mi fhet r i e st opa s ss omeoft ha tphonymone y, "Da nes a i d l i ght l y.Hehu gge dhe rt i ght l y,t he ns i ghe da ndr e l e a s e dhe r ." We ' dbe t t e rgowhi l et he r e ' ss t i l le noughl i ghtt o s e et hes na ke sa nda l l i ga t or s , "het ol dhe rwr yl y. J e nni f e rha t e dl e a vi ng,buts hec oul dn' ta r guewi t hwha theha ds a i d;t hes wa mpc oul dbeada nge r ous pl a c e ,e s pe c i a l l yi nt heda r k.Sot he yt i di e dNa r na ' ss ma l lhomea nds e toutt oc i r c umve ntt hes wa mpi nor de rt o r e t ur nt ot hema i ngr oundsofBe l l eRe t our .I tt ookne a r l ya nhourt oma ket he i rwa yt owhe r eDa neha dl e f tt he Fe r r a r ihi dde nont het r a c kne a rt hel a ne ,a ndbyt he ni twa sda r k . Da neha dt or e t ur nt ohi shot e lt oc h a ngebe f or eme e t i ngKe l l y,s ohedr oveJ e nni f e rt ohe rhous e .He qui t el i t e r a l l ydi dn' tha vet het i met ol i nge r ,butma deoneve r ye xpr e s s i vec omme nta ss hewa sge t t i ngoutoft he c a ra f t e rt hemos tpa s s i ona t el e a ve t a ki ngt he yc oul dma na geunde rt hec i r c ums t a nc e s . " Spor t sc a r s , "hegr umbl e d. J e nni f e rha dt ol a ugh,e ve nt houghs hef e l ta nnoye dhe r s e l fa tt hos eda mne dbuc ke ts e a t sa ndt hege a rbox be t we e n. " I ' l lbeba c ki nt hemor ni ng, "het ol dh e r . Shenodde d." I ' l lbehe r e . " Af t e rt hec a rwa soutofs i ght ,s hewa nde r e di nt ot hehous e ,a ndf oundhe rmot he rs t a ndi ng,ha ndsonhe r hi ps ,j us tI ns i det hedoor ." We l l ? "Fr a nc e s c ade ma nde d. J e nni f e r ,ve r yc ons c i ousofwr i nkl e dc l ot hi nga ndwha ts hes us pe c t e dwa sape r ma ne nts mi l eonhe rf a c e , bl i nke da ndt r i e dt ol ooki nnoc e n t ." We l l ,wh a t ? " " Whe ni st hi sma ngoi ngt oma r r yyou? "he rmot he ra s ke di naf i nes howofma t e r na lni c e t i e s . " We l l ,s i nc eheha s n' ta s ke dme–" " Iwi l ls pe a kt ohi m, "Fr a nc e s c ade c i de d. " Youwi l lnot , "J e nni f e rt ol dhe rf i e r c e l y." Ands t opc a l l i nghi mt hi sma n.Hi sna mei sDa ne ,a ndIl ove hi m. "I nade f i a ntt one ,s hea dde d," Andi fhedoe s n' twa ntt oma r r yme ,I ' l ls t i l ll ovehi m,a ndI ' l ll i vewi t hhi m whe r e ve rhewa nt s ! " Te mpe s t uous l y,Fr a nc e s c at hr e whe ra r msa r oundhe rda ught e ra ndhugge dhe r ,l a ughi nga l oud." Ah,you

dol ovehi m!Wi l lhet a kec a r eo fyou,myba by? " " Ye s , "J e nni f e ra ns we r e dwi t houtas ha dowofdoubt ." Hema ke smeha ppy.Mot he r . " Fr a nc e s c al ooke da the ri nt e nt l y." Andhi sga mbl i ng?Tha tnol onge rdi s t ur bsyou? " J e nni f e rs mi l e ds l owl y." Il oveama nwhoha ppe nst obeve r ygooda tpl a yi ngaga me .Sogood,i nf a c t , t ha the ' sbe c omeapr of e s s i ona l .I ' mnota f r a i doft ha ta nymor e . " He rmot he rpur s e dhe rl i psunc ons c i ous l y.Shes t udi e dJ e nni f e rwi t ha na ppr a i s i nge yea ndt he n,de c i s i ve l y,s a i d," Youwi l lha vebe a ut i f ulba bi e st oge t he r ,It hi nk. " Re me mbe r i ngt hepa s s i ona t ei nt e r l udei nNa ma ' ss ha c k,J e nni f e rf e l the r s e l ff l us hal i t t l e ." Nodoubt , "s he mur mur e d. " Iwi l lbeagr a ndmot he r . "Fr a nc e s c at ur ne dt hi sne wi de aove r .ha l fwi nc e d,t he ns hr ugge da wa ywha t wa sobvi ous l yadi s c onc e r t i ngr e a l i z a t i on." Is ha l ll e a r nt okni t , "s hes a i di nabr a vet one . J e nni f e rgi ggl e dde s pi t ehe r s e l f . Fr a nc e s c ae ye dhe rs t e r nl y." Gr a ndmot he r sdot ha t , "s hee xpl a i ne dqui t eunne c e s s a r i l y. " Youa r e n' tagr a ndmot he rye t , "J e nni f e rr e mi nde dhe r ." Ands t opbui l di ngf a mi l i e s ,wi l lyoupl e a s e ? Da nemi ghtwe l lha veat hi ngort wot os a ya bouthi sf ut ur e ,youknow. " " Hel o ve sc hi l dr e n, "Fr a nc e s c as a i dc ompl a c e nt l y. " Howdoyouknow? " " Het o l dme . " J e nni f e rt houghta boutt ha t ,r e me mbe r i ngDa ne ' sbr i e fvi s i twi t hhe rmot he rda ysbe f or e .He re ye sna r r owe ds us pi c i ous l y." Af t e ryoui nnoc e nt l ya s ke dhi m,Is uppos e ? " " Amot he rmus tknowt he s et hi ngs ,myba by. "Fr a nc e s c awa sunr e pe nt a nt . Ha l fc l os i nghe re ye s ,J e nni f e rs i ghe d ." I t ' sawonde rhedi dn' tki c kupdus tge t t i ngoutofhe r e , "s hemur mur e d." Da nei sabr a vema n.Mot he r .Ave r ybr a vema n. " " Ofc our s e .Ama ni nl ovei sa l wa ysbr a ve . "ButFr a nc e s c a ' svoi c ewa sa bs e nt .Cl e a r l y,he rvol a t i l emi nd wa sa ngl i ngt owa r da not he rs ubj e c t ." OurBe l l e ,J e nni f e r .Wi l lwege tourBe l l eba c ka ga i n? " J e nni f e rhe s i t a t e d,t he ns a i d," Ke l l ywi l lgot oj a i l ,t ha nkst oDa ne .ButIdon' tknow a boutBe l l e , Mot he r . " Cha r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y,Fr a nc e s c adi dn' tr e que s ta ne xpl a na t i on." Hes houl dbes hot ,t ha tKe l l y, "s hes a i d r oundl y. J e nni f e rwe nts udde nl ys t i l l ,r e me mbe r i ngs ome t hi ng.Apr omi s e .Da neha dma dehe rapr omi s e .Sl owl y, s hes a i d," Onel a s tga me . " " Wha t ,myba by? " " Not hi ng. "J e nni f e rwa sunwi l l i ngt or a i s ef a l s ehope s .Buthe rhe a r twa sbe a t i ngf a s t ,a nds hewonde r e d.

Ni ne " I ' l lho l dt heI . O. U.unt i la f t e rt hega me ,i fyoul i ke , "Da neof f e r e de a s i l y." Wec a ns e t t l eupt he n. " Ana l mos ti mpe r c e pt i bl et e ns i one a s e df r om Ga r r e t tKe l l y' se xpr e s s i on." Fi ne .AndIhopeyoubr ought pl e nt yofmone y.Ime a nt ot a kei tt oni ght . " " Youc a nc e r t a i nl yt r y, "Da net ol dhi m,hi st ones t i l ll i ght ." Andyouwoul dn' tbet hef i r s tt odoi t . " The ywe r eba c ki nt hepa r l or ,s i t t i ngone i t he rs i deoft hegr e e nba i z ega met a bl e .Ast he ywe r ea l onet hi s t i me ,i twa sonea ga i ns tone ,s k i l la ga i ns ts ki l l .Ont hema nt e l ,t hec l oc kt i c ke ds t e a di l y;ot he r wi s e ,t hehous e wa ss i l e nt . Thega mebe ga nqui e t l y,r e a s ona bl ebe t sma dei na na l mos tc a s ua lma nne r .Butbe ne a t ht hes ur f a c e , Ke l l ywa st a ut .AndDa newa sa wa r et ha thehi ms e l fwa st oot i r e df ort hi s ,nota thi sbe s t .St i l l ,hewa s de t e r mi ne dt oge tJ e nni f e r ' shomeba c kf orhe r ,a ndheunde r s t oodt hel e ga ls ys t e mt oowe l lt obe l i e vet he r ewa s abe t t e rwa yt ha nt hi s . Theda nge rwa st ha tt hi swa ypr e s e nt e dmor et ha ni t ss ha r eofdr a wba c ks .Af t e rt we nt yye a r s ,Da neunde r s t oodt hega met oowe l lt odi s c ounts he e r ,bl i ndl uc ka saf a c t or ,a ndt ha tc oul dwor kt oKe l l y' sbe ne f i ta s e a s i l ya st ohi sown.Butheha da l r e a dyma deuphi smi ndt owi nf a i r l y–i fKe l l ypl a ye df a i r l y. And,a st hehour spa s s e d,i tbe c a meob vi oust oDa net ha thi soppone ntwa snotc he a t i ng. Da nepl a ye dwi t hnoc ha ngei nhi ss e r e nee xpr e s s i on,l os i ngs omeha nds ,wi nni ngmos t .Hewa t c he dt he mone yc omea ndgoont het a b l e ,Ke l l y' sphonybi l l smi xi ngwi t hhi sownl e ga lone s .And,J us ta st heni ght be f or e ,hewa swa i t i ngf orKe l l yt obe c omeal i t t l et ooi nt e ns e ,al i t t l et oowi l l i ngt obe l i e vei nhi sownl uc k.I t wa sac ommonga mbl e r ' sf e ve r ,t ha ts t a t e–a nde xa c t l ywha tha dha ppe ne dt oJ e nni f e r ' sf a t he r . I ne vi t a bl y,i twa sha ppe ni ngt oKe l l yt oni ght . Thega mewe nton,a ndDa nec a s ua l l ya c c e pt e dmor eofKe l l y' sI . O. U. s ,ma ki ngc e r t a i nt ha tt heo t he r ma nwonba c kt hes c r a psofpa pe re a c ht i mehewa sdr i ve nt os c r a wla not he rone ,e ve ni fDa neha dt of ol dwi t ha wi nni ngha ndt odoi t .Hee xpe c t e dKe l l yt ob e gi nus i ngt hepr omi s e sofpa yme nta sa c t ua lmone y,s t a ki ngt he m ove ra ndove rj us ta shewoul dc a s h,a ndt ha twa se xa c t l ywha tKe l l ydi d.Butwhe ne ve rDa net ookapot c ont a i ni ngas c r a pofpa pe rwi t ht heot he rma n' spr omi s es c r a wl e doni t ,hes e ti tc a s ua l l yt oones i dea nddi dn' t be twi t hi thi ms e l f . " Ca l l . Ra i s et wot hous a nd. " " Yourt wo.Andt womor e . " " Ca l l . " " Fourque e ns . " " Da mn. " Wi t ht hes ur es ki l lofahunt e r ,Da nema dec e r t a i nt ha tKe l l ywa sne ve rc ompl e t e l youtoft hega me ,t ha t

hene ve ra ba ndone dhopeofc omi ngouta he a d.Conc e nt r a t i ngi nt e nt l y,a ndha vi ngga i ne da ni ns i ghti nt ot he ma nne r i s msoft heot he rma na f t e rs e ve r a lni ght sofpl a y,Da neune r r i ngl ykne w whe nKe l l ywa shol di nga s t r ongha nd,orwhe nhewa sbl uf f i ng,a ndheus e dt ha tknowl e dgec a r e f ul l y. Thes c r a psofpa pe ra thi se l bowi nc r e a s e d,a ppa r e nt l yunnot i c e dbyKe l l y.Li kema nyga mbl e r s ,t hei nt e ns i t yoft hepl a ybl i nde dhi mt ohi sowngr owi ngde bt s ,a nda sl onga sheha dmone yt obe twi t h,hewa s c onvi nc e dhi sl uc kwoul dt ur ni nt hee nd. Da ne ,ont heot he rha nd,kne we xa c t l yhowmuc hKe l l yowe dhi m,a ndke ptar unni ngt ot a li nhi she a da s t hea mountgr e w.Butnoneoft ha ts howe donhi st r a nqui lf a c e .Fort hef i r s tt i me ,Da newa spl a yi ngf orpe r s ona l s t a ke s ,a ndt heout c omewa st ooi mpor t a ntf orhi mt ot a kea nyc ha nc e s .Hi swe a r i ne s swa she l da tba ywi t ha n i r onwi l l ,hi sc onc e nt r a t i onf oc us e dwi t ha l lt hema s t e r yoft we nt yye a r sofpr a c t i c e .And,mos tI mpor t a nt l y,he us e dhi sa bi l i t yt oa l mos tl i t e r a l l yde t a c hhi smi ndf r omhi sbody.Themus c ul a rt wi nge sofpr ot e s tf r omabody he l ds t i l lf ort ool ongne ve rt ouc he dhi smi nda nd,s o,ne ve rbe t r a ye dhi m. Thega mewe nton.Hour spa s s e d. Si nc ei twa sde a l e r ' sc hoi c ea ndKe l l yf a vor e dwi l dc a r ds ,a tl e a s tha l ft het i met hema t c he st e nde dt o f i ni s hwi t hhi ghr a nki ngha nds .Ands i nc et h e ypl a ye ddr a wpoke rr a t he rt ha ns t r a i ghts t udpoke r ,noc a r dswe r e l e f tf a c e up,s one i t he rc oul dme a s ur et hepos s i bi l i t i e soft heot he r ' sha nd. Oneonone .Ski l la ga i ns ts ki l l . Gr a dua l l y,I ne xor a bl y,t hepot sbe ga nt oi nc r e a s e ,a ndt hebe t sbe c a met e nsoft hous a ndsofdol l a r s . Thec l oc kont hema nt e lt i c ke da wa ys t e a di l y. *** " J e nni f e r . " Shec a meoutofas ounds l e e p,i ns t a nt l ya wa kea nds i t t i ngup,bl i nki nga tt hel i ghtonhe rni ght s t a nda nd t he nt ur ni nghe re ye st ot hewi n dow." Da ne ! "Shegl a nc e da tt hec l oc kont heni ght s t a nd,puz z l e d." I t ' sa l mos t da wn.Wha t–" " Wi l lyouge tdr e s s e da ndc omewi t hme ? "Hi svoi c ewa ss t e a dy,l i kehi se ye s ." The r e ' ss ome t hi ngIwa nt yout os e e . " " Ofc o ur s e ,but–" " I ' l lwa i ta tt hef r ontdoor , "hes a i ds of t l y,a ndgl i de df r omt her ooml i keas ha dow. Be wi l de r e d,s heha s t i l ys l i doutofbe da nddr e s s e di nj e a nsa ndapul l ove rt op,wonde r i ngwha twa s goi ngon.Whyha dDa nec omehe r el i ket hi s ,a ppa r e nt l ys l i ppi ngi nt ot hehous et hr oughawi ndow?Shef e l tune a s y,a nds ome t hi ngwa sna ggi n ga the r ,s omee l us i vet hi ngs hec oul dn' tgr a s p. Dr e s s e d,s hel e f the rr ooma ndj oi ne dhi mbyt hef r ontdoor .Hega vehe rnooppor t uni t yt oa s kque s t i ons , buts i mpl yl e dt hewa youtt ohi sc a r .Ands hes a i dnot hi ngunt i lt he ywe r eahe a di ngdownt her oa dt owa r dBe l l e Re t our . " Soyouf i na l l ygotf e dup? "s hemur mur e d.Andf e l thi ss wi f tgl a nc e . " Wha tdoyoume a n? " " TheFe r r a r ii sgone . "He rha nda bs e nt l ys moot he dt hevi nyloft hes e a tbe t we e nt he m." Nobuc ke ts e a t s i nt hi sone . " Hewa ss i l e nt . " Da ne ,wha t ' sgoi ngon? " " J us twa i t ,a l lr i ght ? " J e nni f e rs a i dnot hi nge l s e ,he rmi ndbus ywt t hs pe c ul a t i on.Ha dt ha tl a s tga megonewr ong,wa st ha ti t ? Some t hi nghewa nt e dhe rt os e e .Wha t ?Andwhywa she. . .di f f e r e nt ?Heha dn' tt ouc he dhe ra ta l l ,ha dn' tt r i e dt o r e a s s ur ehe ri na nywa y.Andt ha twa sve r yunl i keDa ne . Buts her e ma i ne ds i l e nt ,note ve nc o mme nt i ngwhe n,a f t e rdr i vi ngha l f wa ydownt heda r kl a net ot he hous e ,hec utof ft hec a r ' she a dl i ght sa nda l mos tc oa s t e dt her e ma i ni ngdi s t a nc e .Shes a i dnot hi ngwhe nhe s t oppe da ndgotout ,orwhe nhec a mea r oundt ohe rs i dea nds hel e f tt hec a ra swe l l . Shej u s tl ooke dupa thi ma ndwa i t e d. " Tr us tme ? "hea s ke d. " Ye s . "Buts hedi dn' ts a y.Ofc our s eIt r us ty ou–Il ov ey ou.Shedi dn' ts a yi t .Ands hedi dn' tknowwhy. " Wa i the r e . " J e nni f e rdi dn' ts e ehi ml e a vea smuc ha sf e e li t ,a br upt l yc ons c i oushewa sgone .Shes t ooda l onei nt he s hi f t i ngs ha dows ,he a r i ngt hes of twhi neoft hebr e e z et hr ought het a l loa kt r e e s .He rmi ndwa sc ur i ous l ybl a nk, ye the rbodywa st e ns e d,une a s yi ns omewa ys hedi dn' tr e a l l yunde r s t a nd.Shes e ns e dt ha ts hewa sbr a c e df or s ome t hi ng,i n s t i nc t i ve l yori nt ui t i ve l yc e r t a i nt he r ewa sas hoc ki ns t or ef orhe r .Buts hewa i t e df orhi m,t he r ei n t heda r k. Whe nher e t ur ne dt ohe rs i de ,aba r et e nmi nut e sl a t e r ,hema denomor es oundt ha nheha dwhe nhe ' dl e f t he r .Hewa ss i mpl yt he r e ,apr e s e nc er e t ur ne d.Hedi dn' tt e l lhe rwhe r ehe ' dgoneorwha tha dha ppe ne d,but s i mpl ys t oodl ooki ngdowna the rf oramome nt .Sheha dt heoddc e r t a i nt yt ha thec oul ds e ehe rmor ec l e a r l y t ha ns hes a whi m,a si fs hec oul df e e lhi se ye s ,l i keac a t ' s ,i nt heda r kne s s . Qui e t l y,hes a i d," Iwa ntyout ol i s t e nt omec a r e f ul l y.I nami nut e ,I ' mgoi ngt ot a keyoui nt ot hehous e be c a us et he r e ' ss ome t hi ngIwa ntyout os e e .Butyouha vet obea bs ol ut e l ys i l e nt .I fyouma keas ound,t he n you' l lne ve rha vet her e ve ngeyouwa nta ga i ns tKe l l y.Doyouunde r s t a nd? " " Ye s .Iunde r s t a nd. " Wi t houta not he rwor d,het ookhe rha nda ndl e dhe rt ot hef r ontoft hehous e .J e nni f e rt houghta boutt he s e c ur i t ygua r d,buts ome t hi ngi nhi ss wi f t ,c e r t a i nmove me nt st ol dhe rt he r ewa snone e dt owor r ya boutt he ot he rma n.Sos hef ol l owe dhi mt hr ought hef r ontdoorheope ne da ndt he nc l os e ds i l e nt l ybe hi ndt he m.She f ol l owe dhi mi nt ot hef oye r ,r e ma i ni ngne a rt hewa l l swhe r et heol df l oor swoul dbel e s sl i ke l yt obe t r a yt he m

wi t has ound.Thehous ewa ss i l e nt ,buta st he yne a r e doneoft hepa r l or ss hec oul dhe a rt hemur murofma l e voi c e sf r omi ns i de . Thedo or swe r es t a ndi ngpa r t i a l l yope n,a ndonl yadi ml i ghts honef r omwi t hi n,f r omt hef a rs i deoft he r oom ne a rt h ewi ndows .Whe r et he ys t oodwa si nda r kne s s ,buts hemove dobe di e nt l yt ohi sgui di ngt o uc h, s l i ppi nga r oundhi m unt i ls hec oul dga z ei nt ot hepa r l or .Andi tdi dn' tt a kehi sgr i ponhe rs houl de rt oh ol d J e nni f e rs i l e nt .I nhe rs hoc k,s hec oul dn' tma keas ound. Twome ns a tpl a yi ngc a r dsi nac i r c l eofl i ghtf r omal owha ngi ngl a mp.Be t we e nt he mont her oundt a bl e wa sapi l eofmone ya ndanumbe rofpa pe r sJ e nni f e rc oul dn' ts e ec l e a r l yf r omwhe r es hes t ood.Theme n' sf a c e s we r ee xpr e s s i onl e s s ,ye ts ome how t e ns e ,de a dl ys e r i ous .OnKe l l y' sf a c e ,t hel a mpl i ghtc a ughtt hegl e a m of pe r s pi r a t i on,t het hr obofapul s ea thi st e mpl e .Shec oul da l mos ts me l la ni ma le mot i ons ,l i ket hef e a rofs ome be a s ta tba y,c or ne r e da ndde s pe r a t e . Andt ha tot he rf a c e... Thegui di ngha ndonhe rs houl de rdr e whe rs i l e nt l yba c ka wa yf r omt hedoor ,a nds heobe ye d.He rbody f e l tl e a de nwi t hs hoc k,ye ts hef ol l owe dhi m wi t hnos oundba c ka c r os st hef oye ra nddowna not he rha l l wa y, unt i la tl a s thel e dhe ri nt ot hes t udy,whe r ei tha da l lbe gun,a nds hutt hedoorbe hi ndt he m. " The ywon' tbea bl et ohe a rusi nhe r e , "hes a i di naqui e tbutnor ma lt one .The nhes e nthe raf l i c ke r i ng s mi l ea sher e s t e dahi pont hec or ne roft hed e s k." Unl e s st ha tt e mpe rofyour se xpl ode s ,t ha ti s . " J e nni f e rf e l tnoa nge r .Notye t .Now,a l ls hec oul df e e lwa ss hoc k,a s t oni s hme nt ,c onf us i on.Shes t a r e da t hi m,not i ngt hewa t c hf ule ye st ha tha ds e e me ds odi f f e r e nte ve ni nt hebr i e ft i mes heha ds e e nt he m,s e ti na s t r i ki ngl yha nds omef a c es hekne wa swe l la she rown. " Twi ns , "s hewhi s pe r e d. Henodde d,s t i l lwa t c hf ul ." Ic oul dha r dl yde nyt ha t ,c oul dI ?Myna me ' sSkye . " " Whydi dn' thet e l lme ? "The r ewa ss t i l lc onf us i oni nhe rvoi c e ,a ndhur t . " Hec oul dn' t . "Hi sf a c e ,s ol i keDa ne ' se xc e ptf ort hei nde f i na bl edi f f e r e nc ei nt hevi vi de ye s ,wa ss e r i ous . " J e nni f e r ,f ormor et ha nt e nye a r s ,Da nea n dIha vebe tourl i ve sont hec e r t a i nt yt ha tnoonekne wwewe r e t wi ns .Noonekne wt he r ewe r et woofus .Da ne ' swa st hepubl i cr ol e ,t hewe l l knownf a c ea ndpe r s ona l i t yofa n i nt e r na t i ona lga mbl e r ,ama nwhomi ghtbema nyt hi ngs ,e ve nat hi e f .Tr us t e dbyi nt e l l i ge nc ea ge nt sf orhi s i nf or ma t i on;t r us t e dbyc r i mi na l swhowe r ea l mos ts ur ehewa soneoft he m. " " Andyou? " Skyes mi l e dal i t t l e ." Iwa st heonei nt heda r k,t heonewi t houtapubl i cna me–unl e s sIne e de dt obor r ow Da ne ' s . " " Yous wi t c he dpl a c e s ? " " Aga mepe c ul i a rt ot wi ns . "Hi ss mi l ef a de d,a ndhewa ss udde nl yi nt e nt ,gr a ve ." Butave r ys e r i ousga me i nourc a s e ,J e nni f e r .Be c a us eofwha twea r e ,weha vet heuni quea bi l i t yt ol i t e r a l l ybei nt wopl a c e sa tt hes a me t i me .Al lt her e c or dswe r ea l t e r e d,ourna me sc ha nge d;Da nePr e s c ot tdoe s n' tof f i c i a l l yha veabr ot he r ,muc hl e s s at wi n. " J e nni f e rwa st r yi ngt ot hi nkc l e a r l y." Idon' tunde r s t a nd.Wha tar eyou?Bot hofyou? " Hedr e wade e pbr e a t ha ndl e ti touts l owl y." Puts i mpl y,we ' r ef e de r a la ge nt s .Buti t ' smor ec ompl e xt ha n t ha t .Thet woofust ookt hec onc e ptofa na ge nta nd – di vi de di ti nha l f .Da nei st hec ove r .Hi si de nt i t yi ss o de e pa nds oc ompl e t e l yr e a lt ha tnoonewi t ha nys us pi c i onsc oul de ve rpr ovehewa sa na ge nt .Be c a us ehei s n' t , notr e a l l y.Ia m.Iha vet het r a i ni ng,t heof f i c i a lc r e de nt i a l s .I ' mt heonewhoc a r r i e saguna ndaba dge . " J e nni f e rc oul ds e e ,i nt e l l e c t ua l l y,howt he i runi que ne s sc oul dha vebe e na na dva nt a ge .Butadi s a dva nt a ge a swe l l ." The ne a c hofyoul i ve s...ha l fal i f e ? " Skyedi dn' tt a ket heque s t i onl i ght l y,l a ughi tof f .I ns t e a d,hec ont i nue dt oga z ea the rs e r i ous l y." We di dn' ta nt i c i pa t ehowi twoul dr e a l l ybef orusi nt hebe gi nni ng.Tha tDa ne ' sf r i e ndswoul dknowmeonl ya shi m, e ve nt hought he ywe r emyf r i e ndst oo.Tha tDa newoul d,ove rt h eye a r s ,of t e nha t et her ol ewe ' dc r e a t e df orhi m. I tbe c a meat r a pf orus ,J e nni f e r .Wes e ts ome t hi ngi nmot i on–a ndgotc a ughti ni t . " " Nog oi ngba c k? " " Wec a n' t ,notnow.Oh,wec oul dbot hj us ts t op,t ur nourba c ksa ndbui l dnor ma ll i ve s .Buti fwedi dt ha t , we ' dbes a yi ngt ha tt hepa s tt e nye a r swe r ej us taga me .Tha twedi di ta l lf ornot hi ng.Andt ha tc a n' tha ppe n, J e nni f e r .Be c a us ei fi tdi d,i twou l dde s t r oyDa ne . " Shes a tdowns l owl yi nac ha i r ,s t a r i nga thi m.Be gi nni ngt ounde r s t a nd,now,oneoft het hi ngsDa neha d s a i dt ohe r ." Be c a us eofhi si nt e g r i t y. " Skyenodde d." It houghtyou' dunde r s t a ndt ha t . "Hes i ghe dr oughl y." I twe nta ga i ns tt hegr a i nf orhi m, l e a di ngt hel i f eheha st he s epa s tye a r s .Ont hes ur f a c e ,s uc hame a ni ngl e s sl i f e .I t ' sonl yhi sbe l i e ft ha twear e doi nggoodt ha t ' sl e thi mma ket hes a c r i f i c e sheha s .Hewoul dne ve rha vebe c omeapr of e s s i ona lga mbl e ri fi t ha dn' tbe e nf orme .Oh,heha dt hes ki l l s ,buthene ve rt houghto fma ki ngt ha tal i f e ' spr of e s s i onunt i lIs ugge s t e d i t .Unt i lIwe ntt ohi ma f t e rmyownt r a i ni ngwi t hapl a n.Ibe l i e ve dwec oul dma keadi f f e r e nc e ,a ndhebe l i e ve d i tt oo. " " Sohes t e ppe di nt ot hel i ght , "s hemur mur e d." Andyous t e ppe di nt ot heda r k. "Eve nt he i rc l ot he s ,s he r e a l i z e d,r e f l e c t e de a c hma n.Andt ha tha dbe e nt hef i r s tt hi ngt ha tha da l mos tunc ons c i ous l ya l e r t e dhe r :Skye wa sdr e s s e da l li nbl a c k,ac ol ors he ' dne ve rs e e nDa newe a r . Skyes mi l e ds udde nl y,as mi l ea sr e c kl e s sa st hebr i ght ne s si nhi se ye s ." Tha t ' st heba s i cdi f f e r e nc ebe t we e nDa nea ndme , "het ol dhe r ." We ' r ebot hpa r tc a t–butdi f f e r e ntpa r t s .Da nel i ke st hes un;Il i kehunt i ngi n t heda r k.Thi sl i f es ui t sme ,J e nni f e r .Anda sl onga shec a nbe l i e vei tha sme a ni ng,Da ne ' sl i f es ui t shi mt oo.You s e e ,t hei r onyi st ha twhi l eDa neha st heI ns t i nc t sofaga mbl e r ,heha st hehe a r tofa nhonor a bl ema n.I t ' sa l wa ys be e nas t r uggl ef orhi mt or e c onc i l et het wo. " " The n,whe nheme tme. . . "

Skyel a ughe ds of t l y," Ye s ,i nde e d.Whe nheme tyou.Yourownf a t he rwa saga mbl e r ,a ndyouwe r e ha r dl yl i ke l yt owa ntt oge ti nvol ve dwi t ha not he rone .Butwha tc oul dDa net e l lyou?Tha thewa s n' taga mbl e r ? Hei s .I nma nywa ys ,i ti s n' tj us tar ol ea nymor e .Af t e rt e nye a r sa sapr of e s s i ona l ,i tc a n' tbe . "Hehe s i t a t e d,t he n s a i ds e r i ous l y," We ' vebot hpr ot e c t e dt ha ti de nt i t ywi t hha l f t r ut hsa ndwhi t el i e sf orade c a de .Andhec oul dn' t e ve nt e l lyou,be c a us ewema deapr omi s et oe a c hot he rt ha twewoul dn' t ,notwhi l ewewe r eI nvol ve di naJ ob. A pr omi s ebot hourl i ve sha vet ooof t e nde pe nde don.AndDa neha sne ve ri nhi sl i f ebr oke napr omi s et o a nyone .I t ' sbe e nt e a r i nghi ma pa r t ,J e nni f e r ,notbe i nga bl et oe xpl a i nt oyou. " J e nni f e r .AndDa nec a l l e dhe rJ e nny.Anot he rc l ues heha dunc ons c i ous l ybe e na wa r eof .Shewa ss i l e nt f oramome nt ,ga z i nga tnot hi ng." Whyha veyout ol dmet hi s ? "s hes a i df i na l l yi nal owvoi c e ." WhynotDa ne ? " " Hedo e s n' tknowI ' mt e l l i ngyounow.Hewoul dha vet ol dyout omor r owwhe ni t ' sa l love ra ndKe l l y ' si n c us t ody.Buthewoul dn' tha vet ol dyouwha t ' sgoi ngonI nt ha tr oomr i ghtnow,a ndIt hi nkyous houl dknow. " J e nni f e rs t a r e da thi m." Idon' tunde r s t a nd. "Buts het houghtt ha tpe r ha pss hedi d. " Yout a l ke dt oDa nea bouthonor ,di dn ' tyou? " " Ye s . " Skyenodde d." I ts hookhi mup,youknow.Youwe r ea s ki ngt heque s t i onshe ' sbe e na s ki nghi ms e l ft he s e l a s tye a r s ,a ndhewa s n' ts ur eoft hea ns we r s .ButIa m. "Hepa us e d,t he ns pokes l owl y." Idon' tknowa bouta l l t wi ns ,butwi t hDa nea ndme...we l l ,e a c hofusha sa l wa ysunde r s t oodt heot he rmor et ha nhi ms e l f .I t ' sl i ke l ooki ngi nt oami r r or ,e xc e ptt ha twha tyous e ei s n' tar e f l e c t i onofyour s e l f ,buta not he rbe i nge nt i r e l y.And ma ybebe c a u s et hes ur f a c ei si de nt i c a l ,wea l wa yss e ebe ne a t h. " J e nni f e rnodde ds l owl y." I t ' sha r df ormet or e a l l yunde r s t a nd,butIt hi nkIknowwha tyoume a n. " " Good .The nbe l i e vemewhe nIs a yt ha tIknowDa nebe t t e rt ha nheknowshi ms e l f .He ' sagoodma n, J e nni f e r ,abe t t e rma nt ha nIa m.He ' shonor a bl ei nwa ysmos tme nha vef or got t e ne ve ne xi s t .Heha t e sl i e s ,ha l f t r ut hs ,de c e pt i ons .Byna t ur e ,he ' sve r yope n,a ndve r yhone s t .Andhene ve rbr e a ksapr omi s e . " Shenodde da ga i n,a c c e pt i ngi ti mme di a t e l y." Tha t ' swha tIt hought ,wha tIf e l ti nhi m. " " He ' ske e pi ngapr omi s er i ghtnow, "Skyes a i ds of t l y." Apr omi s et oyou. " J e nni f e rf e l tas udde nt i ght ne s si nhe rt hr oa t .Apr omi s et ohe r..." Be l l eRe t our ? " " Ye s .Da ne ' sdoi nghi sbe s tt owi ni tba c kf oryou.Andbe c a us ehe ' sdoi ngi tf oryou,t hes t a ke sa r eve r y pe r s ona lt hi st i me .He ' sne ve rd onet hi sbe f or e ,pl a ye df orpe r s ona ls t a ke s .Tha twa sa l wa yst hedi s t i nc t i onhe ma debe t we e npl a yi ngar ol e ,a ndbe c omi ngt her ol e .I twa sa l wa ysbus i ne s s ,ne ve rpe r s ona l .Thi st i me ,he ' s c r os s i ngt ha tl i ne . " Shes t a r e da tSkye ,e mot i onst a ngl i ngi ns i dehe r ." Hewoul dn' tha vet ol dme ? " Skyes hookhi she a d." No.I fhewi ns ,he ' l lf i ndawa yt ot r a ns f e rt hede e dba c kt oyoua ndyourmot he r , t e l lyout ha tof f i c i a l sf oundal e ga ll oophol eors ome t hi ng.I fhel os e s ,he ' l lpul le ve r ys t r i nghec a nf i nd,c a l li n e ve r yf a vorowe d,unt i ls ome bodyi nve nt sal oophol et ha tdoe st het r i c k.Buthewon' tt a ket hec r e di tf ori t .Now ore ve r . " " Butwhywoul dn' the–"Andt he ns hes t oppe d,r e a l i z i ng. " Yous e ei t ,don' tyou?Da newon' te ve rt e l lyoui twa shi sdoi ngbe c a us ehel ove syou.Hewa nt syout o beha ppy,a ndi tdoe s n' tma t t e rwha themi ghtl os ehi ms e l f .He ' dne ve rus et ha tpr omi s eofhi sa sawa yt ob i nd yout ohi m.You' l lha veyourhomeba c k,butyouwon' toweDa nea nyt hi ngf ori t . "Skyes mi l e dabi twr yl y." He ha t e sde bt s . " J e nni f e rs a ts t a r i ngdowna the rha nds .Shewa sonl ydi ml ya wa r eofSkyemovi ng,a ndl ooke dupt of i nd hi ms i t t i ngonaf oot s t oola the rkne e sa ndwa t c hi nghe rgr a ve l y.Howodd,s het hought ,t ol ooka tt ha tf a c ea nd knowt hi swa s n' tDa ne .Ande ve nmor eoddt or e a l i z et ha ts hewoul da l wa ysknowwhi c hoft hei de nt i c a lme n wa sDa ne .Al wa ys .J us ta ss heha di ns t i nc t i ve l yknownt he r ewa ss ome t hi ngdi f f e r e ntwhe nt hi sbr ot he rha d a ppe a r e di nhe rr oomt oni ght . Ands heunde r s t oodt hedi f f e r e nc e sbe t we e nt hebr ot he r s .Lovi ngDa ne ,s hedi s c ove r e dt ha ts he I nt ui t i ve l yunde r s t oodSkyea swe l lwi t haknowl e dget ha tdi dn' tr e qui r et i me .Thi sma n,ofc our s e ,s ha r e dt he na t ur a lphys i c a ls t r e ngt ht ha twa sDa ne ' s ,t h ei nna t ec ha r ma ndl a z ygr a c e .Butwhe r eDa newa st r a nqui la nd c on t r ol l e d,Skyewa sr e s t l e s sa ndr e c kl e s s .I twa si nhi se ye s ,i nt hemove me nt st ha twe r equi c ke rt ha nhi s br ot he r ' s .Shet houghtt ha tDa n e ' sma s t e r yofpoke rha dhe l pe dbui l dhi sc ont r ol ,whi l eSkye ' s" hunt i ngi nt he da r k"ha de a r ne dhi ms ha r pe rr e f l e xe s . Da newa st hel i on,gr a c e f uli nt hes un;Skyewa st het i ge rpr owl i nga tni ght . " Whydi dyout e l lme ? "s hea s ke dSkye . " Soyo u' dunde r s t a ndwha tyoune e dt o, "het ol dhe rqui e t l y." Da nel ove syou.Hel ove syous omuc ht ha t he ' swi l l i ngt obr e a ka l lhi sr ul e sf oryou.Rul e she ' sma na ge dn ott obr e a ke ve ndur i ngt e nye a r sofpl a yi ngt he pa r tofa nuns c r upul ousma n.I fheha st oc he a tt owi nyourho meba c kf oryou,t he nhewi l l .I fheha st or i s k e ve r yt hi ngheha s ,t he nhewi l l .Tha t ' swha tyouha vet ounde r s t a nda boutDa ne ,J e nni f e r .Whe ni tc ome st ot he ha ppi ne s sofs ome onehel ove s ,t he r ea r enol i mi t s . " Shewa ss i l e ntf oramome nt ,t he ns a i ds l owl y," Het hi nksIwon' tbea bl et oa c c e ptaf ut ur ewi t hhi m, doe s n' the ? " Skyenodde d." Be c a us ehi sl i f ewon' tbea ne a s yonet os ha r e .Thi sma s que r a deofour swor ks .Asl onga s i tc ont i nue st owor k,we ' r et ooda mne de f f e c t i vea sa ge nt st ot ur nourba c ksa ndwa l ka wa y.Andt ha tme a nsour l i ve sa r ec ompl i c a t e d.Some t i me sda nge r ous .But ,t ous ,t her i s kha sa l wa ysbe e nout we i ghe dbyt hegoodof wha twewe r ea bl et oa c c ompl i s h. " " Ar i s kIha vet oa c c e pt , "s hemur mur e d. " I fyoul ovehi m,ye s .Hei swha thei s ,J e nni f e r ,wha tt he s el a s tye a r sha vema dehi m.Webot ha r e . "He pa us e d,t he ns a i d," He ' l ll os eal i t t l ebi tofhi ms e l fi nt ha tr oomt oni ght .Br e a ki ngt her ul e sdoe st ha t ,e s pe c i a l l y t oama nl i keDa ne .Butt hel os si swor t hi tt ohi m,be c a us ehel o ve syou. "

J e nni f e rdr e was ha kybr e a t h." Ar e n' tyoua f r a i dI ' l ls a yIl ovehi moutofgr a t i t ude ,nowt ha tIknowa l l t hi s ? " " No. "Hi sr e s pons ewa si ns t a nt ,c e r t a i n ." You' dne ve rof f e ra nyma naf a l s el ove ,be c a us eyou' r ea shone s t a sDa nei s . " Af t e ramome nt ,Skyer os ea ndt ookhe rha ndge nt l y,pul l i nghe rt ohe rf e e t ." Comeon.Iha vet ot a keyou home .Thega mema ygoonf orhour sye t–a n dt omor r ow' sgoi ngt obeve r ybus y. " " Wha twi l lha ppe n? "s hea s ke da l mos ta bs e nt l y. " La t e ri nt hemor ni ng,ar ovi ngs qua doff e de r a lma r s ha l si sgoi ngt of i ndt ha tpr e s souti nt hes wa mp. Ga r r e t tKe l l ya ndhi spa r t ne rwi l lbea r r e s t e dont hec ha r geofc ount e r f e i t i ng.He ' l lne ve rc onne c tDa net ot he c ha r ge s .Thema r s ha l swi l lma kei tpl a i nt he yr e c e i ve dat i pwe e ksa go,a ndha vebe e ns e a r c hi ngf ort hepr e s s . " " Sohi sc ove r–a ndyour s–wi l lr e ma i ni nt a c t ? " " Ye s . " " Whe r ewi l lyougof r omhe r e ? " Hel ooke ddowna the rgr a ve l y." Idon' tknow.Tha tde pe ndsonDa ne .Andonyou. " J e nni f e rs t a r e dupa thi mf oral ongmome nt ." Iwa ntt ogoba c kt ot hepa r l or , "s hes a i d." Iha vet os e e wha t ' sgoi ngoni nt he r e . " Skyef r owne d." J e nni f e r–" " Iha vet oknow.Di dyoue xpe c tmej us tt ot a me l yl e a ve ,notknowi ng? " Hehe s i t a t e d,t he ns wor es of t l y. " The r e ' sa not he rdoori nt ha tr oom, "s het ol dhi m." I twa sope n,a ndi tl e a dst oas e r vi c ec or r i dor .Wec a n wa t c hf r omt he r e ,a ndt he ywon' ts e eus . " Af t e ramome nt ,Skyes a i d," Iwa ntyout ounde r s t a nds ome t hi ng.Da nedoe s n' tl i kewha the ' sdoi ngi n t he r e .I fi tha dbe e nDa nepl a yi nga ga i ns tyourf a t he ri nt hel a s tpoke rga me ,youwoul dne ve rha vel os tyour home .Da newoul dn' tha vea c c e pt e di ta sas t a ke .I nt we nt yye a r sofpl a yi ngpoke r ,he ' sne ve rt a ke ne ve r yt hi ng a noppone ntha d.Eve nwhe nhec oul dha ve .Eve nwhe ni twa si nhi sownbe s ti nt e r e s tt odos o. "Fl a t l y,Skye a dde d," Eve nwhe nt ha toppone n twa sas onofabi t c h,a ndde s e r ve di ti fa nyonedi d. " " Anot he rr ul ehe ' sbr e a ki ng? "s hea s ke ds of t l y. Skye ' ss mi l ewa sc r ooke d,butnotqui t eDa ne ' s ,hi sc ha r maha r de r ,r oughe rt hi ng." Hel ove syou. " " AndIl ovehi m, "s hes a i di nas t e a dyvoi c e . " Al lr i ght , "Skyes a i df i na l l y." The nl e t ' sgowa t c hama s t e ra twor k. " *** Thedoort ot hes e r vi c ec or r i dorwa sope nf a re nought ogi vet he m ac l e a rvi e woft het a bl ea ndbot h pl a ye r s ,ye twa sf a re nougha wa ya nds ha dowe de nought opr e ve ntt he mf r om be i ngs e e n.The yr e a c he di t s i l e nt l y,a ndbot ha l mos ti mme di a t e l yr e a l i z e dt ha tt hega mewa smuc hne a r e ri t sc onc l us i ont ha nSkyeha d a nt i c i pa t e d. Ont hegr e e nt a bl ewa sapi l eofmone y,a ndane a ts t a c kr e ma i ne di nf r ontofDa ne .Ke l l y' smone y f or me damuc hs ma l l e ra ndqui t eunt i dys t a c k.Da ne ' sc a r dswe r ef a c e down,hi sha ndsr e l a xe dont het a bl e .Ke l l y c l ut c he dhi swi t ht i ghtf i nge r st ha ts howe da noc c a s i ona lt r e mor . J e nni f e rwa t c he d,f a s c i na t e dbyDa ne ' sut t e rs t i l l ne s s ,byt het r a nqui l i t yhewor el i kea ni mpe ne t r a bl e c l oa k.Hi se ye swe r es e r e nea ndwi t houtf or c e . Ke l l ys hove dt her e ma i nde rofhi sc a s hi nt ot hepot ,a ndDa nec a l ml yma t c he di t–a ndt he nr a i s e dt hebe t . Li keabl i ndma n,Ke l l yr e a c he df oras ma l lpa dofpa pe rne a r by ,l a yi nghi sc a r dsdowna ndbe gi nni ngt os c r a wl s ome t hi ngont het ops he e t . " Wa i t . " Looki nga thi soppone nt ,Ke l l ybl i nke dl i keama ni naf e ve r i s ht r a nc e ." Wha t ? " " Be f or eyout hr owa not he rc a s ua lpr omi s eont het a bl e , "Da nes a i dpl e a s a nt l y," i t ' st i met or e de e mt he s e . " Hepi c ke dupas t a c koft hes ma l lpa pe r sa thi se l bow." I ' mc a l l i ngi nyourma r ke r s .Now. " Ke l l y' se ye swi de ne da tt henumbe rofpa pe r sDa nehe l d." I Ic a n' tr i ghtnow.Af e wda ys ,a ndmyba nk c a n–" Da nes hookhi she a ds l i ght l y." Af r a i dnot .It ookt hepr e c a ut i onofc he c ki ngwi t hyourba nkt oda y.You' l l f or gi veme ,I ' ms ur e ;ama ni nmypr of e s s i ondoe s n' tt a kes t upi dc ha nc e s .Yourba nka c c ounti se mpt y. " " Iha veot he ra s s e t s . " " Nonet os pe a kof .Andt he s ema r ke r ss a yyou' r ei nde bt e dt omef orha l fami l l i on. " Ke l l ypa l e d." Tha t ' si mpos s i bl e ! " " Tot a lt he mi fyoul i ke . "Da ne ' svoi c ewa sI ndi f f e r e nt ." Butt ha t ' swha tyou' l lge t .Ine ve rma kemi s t a ke s wi t hnumbe r s . "Hes t a c ke dt hen ot e sa ga i na ndwa i t e d,hi sha ndsf ol de dpe a c e f ul l yont het a bl e . Af t e rs t a r i ngdowna thi ss t a c ke dc a r d sf oramome nt ,Ke l l ys a i dhoa r s e l y," Iha vet hi spl a c e .Thepl a nt a t i on.I t ' swor t ht woort hr e emi l l i one a s y. " " I t ' smor t ga ge d, "Da nes a i df l a t l y." Youowet heba nkha l fami l l i ont oo. " " Thema r ke tva l ue–" " I sde pr e s s e da tt hemome nt .Youc oul dn' ts e l lt hi spl a c et oadumbbi l l i ona i r ewi t haf a nc yf or a nc e s t or s . " Ke l l y' sde s pe r a t i onwa sa na l mos tt a c t i l et hi ng,l i kef ogha ngi ngi nt her oom,gr a ya ndwe t ." I t ' swor t ha mi l l i ona tt heve r yl e a s t , "hei ns i s t e d." He l l ,youc oul dhoc kt hec ont e nt soft hi shous ef ort ha tmuc h! " Da nel ooke da thi ms t e a di l yf oral ongmome nt ,t he nr e a c he di nt ot hepoc ke tofhi sj a c ke ta nddr e wouta pi e c eofpa pe r ." Al lr i ght , "hes a i ds l owl y." Thi si sac a s hi e r ' sc he c kf orha l fami l l i on.Yous i gnt hepl a nt a t i on ove rt omef ort hi sc he c k,a ndyo urma r ke r s . " Ke l l yba r e l yhe s i t a t e d." Iwi l l . "

" The nge tt hepa pe r sa ndwa keupyourbut l e ra ndhi swi f e .Thet r a ns f e rwi l lbel e ga l l ys ol i d,ori t ' sno de a l .Iwa ntwi t ne s s e s . " Al mos tl ur c hi ngt ohi sf e e t ,Ke l l ywe ntove rt ot hema nt e la ndya nke dont heol dbe l lr opet ha twa ss t i l l c onne c t e dt ot hes e r va nt s 'qua r t e r s .Het ugge da ti tt wi c emor ebe f or eMa t he wse nt e r e dt her oom,dr e s s e di n pa j a ma sa ndar obea ndl ooki ngha l fa s l e e pa ndc ons i de r a bl ys t a r t l e d. " Si r ? " Ke l l ye xpl a i ne dwha thewa nt e di naqui c k,r oughvoi c e ,a ndwi t hi nf i f t e e nmi nut e sapa c ke tofpa pe r s wa ss a f e l yi nDa ne ' spoc ke t .Ma t he wsa ndhi swi f er e t i r e dt ot he i rqua r t e r s ,be wi l de r e dbuta wa r et ha tBe l l e Re t ournowh a dane wma s t e r . Wi t hDa ne ' sa gr e e me nt ,Ke l l ypl a c e dt hec he c ki nt ot hepota nddr e woutha l fami l l i oni nc a s h,ma ki n gi t e a s i e rf orhi mt opl a youtt heha nd;Da nes t i l lha das t a c kofmone ybe f or ehi m,a ndt hebe t t i ngwa s n' tove r . Sha ki l y,Ke l l yma t c he dt hel a s tr a i s e ,a ddi ngt e nt hous a nd.Da ner a i s e dt e nt hous a nd,a nds i l e nt l yt ur ne d hi st opc a r df a c e up.Ke l l y' se ye sj e r ke dt owa r di t :t hea c eofs pa de s .Swa l l owi ng,Ke l l yr a i s e da not he rt e n t hous a nd.Da ner a i s e da swe l l ,a ndt ur ne dupt hene xtc a r d:t heki ngofs pa de s . Twi c emor e ,wi t hbot hme nr a i s i ng,Da net ur ne dhi sc a r dsf a c e up.Be f or ehi ml a yapos s i bl er oya lf l us h. Het a ppe dt hehol ec a r dl i ght l ywi t hhi si nde xf i nge r ,a sheha dbe f or ei nt hi sr oom,a ndKe l l y' se ye swe r ef i xe d ont hel a z ymove me nt . " You' v epul l e dt ha tt r i c kbe f or e , "Ke l l ys a i dhoa r s e l y. " Ye s , "Da nea gr e e d." Theque s t i oni s :I si tat r i c kt hi st i me ?Ac e sa r ewi l d.I tc oul dbea na c e .I tc oul dbe at e n.Ori tc oul dbeawor t hl e s sc a r d.Youde c i de . " Si l e nt l y,Ke l l yr a i s e d. Da nema t c he dhi sbe t .Andr a i s e da ga i n. Ke l l ywe nts t i l ls udde nl y,hi se ye ss ki t t e r i ngf r omt hemone yheha dl e f tt oDa ne ' sr e ma i ni ngs t a ke .And her e a l i z e dt h e nt ha ti twa sove r ,t ha theha df a l l e nbl i ndl yi nt oat r a phec oul dn' te s c a pe .Heha dahundr e dt hous a ndl e f tt obe t .Da neha dt wi c et ha tmuc h.The r ewa snowa yf orKe l l yt owi n. " St opwhi l eyou' ves t i l lgots ome t hi ngl e f t , "Da nes a i ds of t l y. Ke l l y' ss houl de r ss l umpe d,t he ns t r a i g ht e ne ds l owl y.Anda l lt hr e eoft hos ewa t c hi ngKe l l yc oul da l mos t s e ei nhi se ye st hef or c e dme mor yoft ha tpr i nt i ngpr e s shi dde ni nt hes wa mp." If ol d, "hes a i dhe a vi l y. Nos i gnoft r i umphc r os s e dDa ne ' sf a c e ,a ndhi svoi c ewa sa sc a l ma se ve r ." Wi s eofyou. " Noddi ngt owa r dDa ne ' shol ec a r d,Ke l l ys a i d," Iha vet oknow. " " I tdoe s n' tma keadi f f e r e nc e .Iwoul dha veke ptr a i s i ng,a ndyouc oul dn' tha vewon. " " Iha vet oknow. " Af t e ramome nt ,Da nef l i ppe dove rt hec a r d.I twa st hea c eofhe a r t s :ar oya lf l us h.Qui e t l y,hes a i d ." A t r i c konl ywor ksonc e . " Ke l l y' smout ht wi s t e ds l i ght l y." I ' l lr e me mbe rt ha t . "Hes i ghe d,t he ngott ohi sf e e t ." Al lt ha tc a s hi s bul ky.I ' l lgoge ts ome t hi ngf oryout oputi ti n.And...a ndI ' l lbeoutofhe r ewi t hi nawe e k. " " Fi ne . "Da ner e ma i ne dmot i onl e s sf oraf e wmome nt sa f t e rKe l l yl e f t ,t he noneha ndl i f t e dt ot hena peof hi sne c ka ndhi se ye sc l os e dbr i e f l y. J e nni f e rf e l the r s e l fbe i ngdr a wnba c ka wa yf r omt hedoor ,a nds hea l l owe dSkyet ol e a dhe rqui c kl yf r om t hehous e .Out s i de ,da wnwa sj u s tbr e a ki ng.The ygoti nt oSkye ' sc a r ,a ndt hequi e te ngi neha r dl ydi s t ur be dt he s i l e nc e . Ha l f wa yba c kt ohe rhous e ,J e nni f e rs a i ds udde nl y," Di dyout hi nkDa newa sbl uf f i ng? " " I ' vene ve rbe e na bl et ot e l l , "Skyer e pl i e d. Shel o oke da thi mwonde r i ngl y." Note ve nyou? " " Note ve nme . " Thec a rpul l e di nt ohe rdr i ve wa yaf e wmome nt sl a t e r ,a ndJ e nni f e rhe s i t a t e dbe f or ege t t i ngout ." The s e c ur i t ygua r d, "s hes a i da bs e nt l y." Whywa s n' thea r oundt oni ght ? " Skyes mi l e df a i nt l y." Hel i ke st ot a keana pe ve r yni ghtups t a i r s ,whi l ehi sbos si soc c upi e dwi t hpoke r . La s tni ght ,t h e r ewa sal i t t l es ome t hi ngi nhi sc of f e et oma kes ur ehes l e pts oundl y. " " Tha t ' swha tyouc he c ke donwhe nyoul e f tmeout s i de ? " " Ye s . " Shenodde d,t he ns a i dmor ei nt e nt l y," Iwa ntt ot e l lDa nea boutme e t i ngyou.Al lr i ght ? " " Iwa shopi ngyouwoul d. "Hel a ughe ds of t l y. J e nni f e rs mi l e da thi m,t he ngotoutoft hec a ra ndc l os e dt hedoor .Shedi dn' twa i tt owa t c hhi ml e a ve ,but we nti mme di a t e l yi nt ot hehous e .Buts hedi dn' tr e ma i nt he r el ong.Le s st ha nf i f t e e nmi nut e sl a t e r ,s hewa si nhe r c a ra ndhe a di ngt owa r dLa keCha r l e s .

Ten I twa sa l mos tt e no' c l oc kwhe nDa neope ne dt hedoorofhi ss ui t ea tt hehot e l ,a ndheha dne ve rf e l ts o we a r y.Af t e rl e a vi ngBe l l eRe t our ,heha ddr i ve ni nt oLa keCha r l e sa ndwa i t e da tt heba nkhol di ngt hemor t ga ge ont hepl a nt a t i on.Hewa nt e di ts e t t l e d,wa nt e dJ e nni f e rt oha vehe rhomeba c ka ga i n.Heha dwa i t e dunt i lt he ba nkope ne d,dr i nki ngc a r dboa r df l a vor e dc of f e ef r omac onve ni e nc es t or ea ndpa c i ngbe s i dehi sc a r . Hi sbus i ne s swi t ht heba nkha dt a ke nmor et i mea ndi nt e r mi na bl epa pe r wor k,buts i nc eheha dt a ke nt he pr e c a ut i one a r l i e rt ot r a ns f e rhi sownf undst ot hi spa r t i c ul a rba nks ol i dl yt oe s t a bl i s hhi sc r e de nt i a l s ,t he r ewa s l e s st r oubl et ha nmi ghtha vebe e ne xpe c t e d. Now,a l lhewa nt e dwa st ot a keahots howe ra ndc ha nge ,a ndt he ngot oJ e nni f e r .Hewa nt e dt owr a phi s a r msa r oundhe ra ndf a l li nt oabe dwi t hhe r ,a ndnotge tupf orawe e k.Ort wo.

Heha dn' tgot t e nt hec ha nc et os pe a kt oSkyet hi smor ni ng,buthekne whi sbr ot he rwoul dbea l e r t i ngt he pr ope rof f i c i a l sa ndc oor di na t i ngt hea r r e s tofGa r r e t tKe l l y.Fr om be hi ndt hes c e ne s ,ofc our s e ;Skyewoul d ma kec e r t a i nKe l l yne ve rc a ughtagl i mps eofhi m. " Goodmor ni ng. " Aboutt ol a yt hepa c ke tofpa pe r sonat a bl ene a rt hedoor ,Da nes wunga r oundi ns ur pr i s e ." J e nny! " Shewa ss t a ndi ngne a rt hec ouc h,wa t c hi nghi mwi t hgr a vee ye s ,s obe a ut i f uli ta l mos ts t oppe dhi she a r t . " Ibr i be dama i dt oge ti nhe r e . " Hemove dt owa r dhe rs l owl y,una bl et ot a kehi se ye sof fhe r .Shel ooke ds ode l i c a t e ,ye ts owoma nl yi na s i mpl es i l kdr e s sc l i ngi ngt oe ve r yc ur ve ,t ha thef oundi te a s yt of or ge tt hegr i mni ghtbe hi ndhi m–a ndot he r gr i mni ght s–whe nhewa swi t hhe r .Hi sc he s tf e l tt i ghts udde n l y,a ndhekne whewa sa f r a i d.Af r a i dofl os i ng he r .Af r a i dt ha tt hes e c r e t sa ndde ma ndsofhi sl i f ewoul dbemor et ha ns hec oul da c c e pt . Be c a us eheha dt ot ouc hhe r ,hol dhe r ,hewr a ppe dhi sa r msa r oundhe rwa i s ta ndl i f t e dhe rof fhe rf e e t , ki s s i nghe rwi t hahunge rt ha tha dn' tl e s s e ne d.He ra r mswr e a t h e dupa r oundhi sne c ka ss her e t ur ne dt heki s s e s f e r ve nt l y. " God, Il oveyou, "hemur mur e d. He re y e sgl e a me dupa thi mwhe nhel owe r e dhe rr e l uc t a nt l yt ohe rf e e t ." Il oveyout oo.Andt hos ea ns we r syouwe r ewor r i e da bouth a ve n' tc ha nge dada mnt hi ng. " Hewe nts t i l l ,s e a r c hi nghe rf a c ewi t hapr obi ngga z e . " Iha davi s i t ora r oundda wnt hi smor ni ng, "s het ol dhi ms of t l y,s mi l i ngal i t t l e ." I twa sabi tofas h oc k. The r eIwa st ot a l l yc onvi nc e dt he r ewa snoonei nt hewor l dl i keyou–a ndt he nyourmi r r ori ma ges howsup. " Da nes wor es of t l y." J e nny,Iwoul dha vet ol dyoua boutSkyea ss oona si twa sove r–" " Iknow.Iunde r s t a ndwhyyouc oul dn' t . " " Wha tdi dhet e l lyou? "Da nea s ke dwa r i l y,s l i ght l ys ur pr i s e dbyhe rc a l ma c c e pt a nc e . He rs mi l ewi de ne d." Se ve r a lt hi ngshet houghtIs houl dknow.Andhewa sr i ght .Heobvi ous l yl ove syou al ot .Ca nIgue s st ha tyou' r eol de r ? " Da nes mi l e dde s pi t ehi ms e l f ." Byt e nmi nut e s . " J e nni f e rnodde d,uns ur pr i s e d." Mos tofwha thes a i ddi dn' tr e a l l ys ur pr i s eme .Idi dt e l lyouIa l r e a dyha d a l lt hea ns we r sIne e de d,youknow.Tha twa st r ue .ButIs uppo s eIc a nha r dl ybl a meyouf ordoubt i ngmea f t e r t hewa yIa c t e d. " " Doub t i ngyou? " " I s n' tt ha twha tyouwe r edoi ng? "s hea s ke dge nt l y." Thi nki ngt ha twhe nIhe a r dt het r ut ha boutyourl i f e , Iwoul dn' tl oveyoua nymor e .Th a ti twoul dc ha ngemes ome how. " Roughl y,hes a i d," J e nny,t he r ea r eda n ge r si nmyl i f e . " " Iknowt ha t .I ' veknowni tf orda ys .Thos epr omi s e si nyoure ye s .Pr omi s e sofha ppi ne s sa nde xc i t e me nt –a ndda nge r .Youa l wa yske e pt hepr omi s e syouma ke ,a ndI ' ml ooki ngf or wa r dt oa l loft he m. " " Ar eyous ur e ,hone y? "hea s ke dhus ki l y. " Al loft he m,Da ne .Be c a us ewha tyoupr omi s emos tofa l l ,i sl i f e .I t ' st her e a s onIf e l li nl ovewi t hyou. " Hebe nthi she a da ndki s s e dhe rde e pl y." Idon' tde s e r veyou, "hes a i da shel i f t e dhi she a d. J e nni f e rf oughtt oke e phe rvoi c el i ght ." Youpr oba bl ya nge r e dt heFa t e s .I ' mha l fI t a l i a n,r e me mbe r ? " Tha tr e mi nde rma deDa ner e c a l lt hepa pe r shewa ss t i l lhol di ng,a ndhehe s i t a t e dbe f or es a yi ng," The r e ' s onemor et hi ngIwa nt e dt ot e l lyou. " " Youdon' tha vet o.Skyedi dn' tj us tvi s i tme ;het ookmeba c kt oBe l l eRe t our .Wewa t c he dt ha tl a s tha nd be t we e nyoua ndKe l l y. "Shewa ss mi l i nga ga i n. Af t e ramome nt ,Da nes a i d," I ' mgoi ngt os hoothi m. " " Ke l l y? "s hea s ke di nnoc e nt l y. " No,da mmi t .Myi nt e r f e r i ngbr ot he r . "Da newa sobvi ous l yunc omf or t a bl e ,a ndc l e a r e dhi st hr oa tbe f or e c ont i nui ng." J e nny,t hepl a nt a t i onbe l ongst oyoua ndyourmot h e r .I t ' sbe e nl e ga l l yt r a ns f e r r e d. " " Andyouha t ede bt s , "s hes a i dmi l dl y. " Youdon' towemea nyt hi ng, "hei ns i s t e d. I gnor i ngt ha t ,s hemus e d," You' vegota tl e a s tami l l i ondol l a r si nt ha tpl a nt a t i on.Mor et ha nt ha t ,pr o ba bl y,s i nc eI ' l lbe tyoupa i dof ft hemor t ga ge .Idon' ts e ehowI ' de ve rbea bl et opa yyouba c k. "Shes hookhe r he a dr ue f ul l y. " J e nny–" " Thi si sdr e a df ul , "s het ol dhi mi nas ol e mnt one ." Ic a n' tha vet hebot hofuswor r yi nga boutt ha tde bt . Ma ybeIc oul ds e l lt hepl a c e ,a ndt he n–" " Ar eyououtofyourmi nd? "hee xpl ode d.The nher e a l i z e ds hewa ss mi l i nga ga i n. " J us twa nt e dyout oputi ti nt hepr ope rpe r s pe c t i ve , "s hes a i dge nt l y. Hea l mos ts hookhe r ,t or nbe t we e nr e l i e fa nde xa s pe r a t i on." Da mmi t ,J e nny. " " We l l ,t he r er e a l l yi sonl yones ol ut i on. "Sher e a c he dbe hi ndhe rt ot a ket hepa c ke tofpa pe r sf r om hi s ha nda ndt os s e dt he mont hec ouc h,t he ns l i dhe ra r msba c kupa r oundhi sne c k." Youke e pBe l l eRe t our .You woni tf a i r l y,a f t e ra l l . " " Idi dn' tc he a t , "hea dmi t t e d,wa nt i nghe rt oknowt ha t ." ButIs pe ntt hi swhol emor ni ng–" " AndI ' l ll i vet he r ewi t hyou, "s hei nt e r r upt e dc a l ml y." I ' l lbei nmyhomea ga i n,a ndIwon' toweyoua mi l l i onbuc ksf ori t .Si mpl e .Eve na ni nt e r na t i ona lga mbl e rs houl dha veaba s eofope r a t i ons ,a ndt hi nkhowyour s t oc kwi l lr i s ewhe npe opl ef i ndoutyour si sat wohundr e dye a r ol dLoui s i a napl a nt a t i on.Be s i de s ,i tf i t syou e ve nbe t t e rt ha nar i ve r boa t . " Hes t a r e da the rf oramome nt ,t he nbl i nke da si ft oc l e a ra wa yme nt a lc obwe bs ." Youmus tha vegot t e ni t f r omyourmot he r , "hes a i dr e f l e c t i ve l y." Inot i c e ds heha di tt oo. "

" Wha t ? "s hea s ke dgui l e l e s s l y. " Thea bi l i t yt oma ket hemos ti ns a net hi ngss oundpe r f e c t l yr e a s ona bl e .J e nny,Iwon' tt a keyourpl a nt a t i on. " " Ofc o ur s eyouwi l l .Butwe ' l la r guea b outi tl a t e r . " Hee ye dhe rwa r i l y." Wewi l l ? " Shes mi l e dupa thi m." Yous houl dge ts omes t e e pf i r s t ,t hough.Youmus tbee xha us t e d. " Hi smout hc ur ve d." Sl i ght l y.J e nny,wi l lyouma r r yme ? " " Ye s . " Hel i f t e dhe rof fhe rf e e ta ga i n,ki s s i nghe r ." Who' shi t c hi ngwhos ef a t et oar ogues t a r ? "hemur mur e d a ga i ns the rl i ps . " Webot ha r e ,It hi nk.Andi s n' ti tni c et ha tI ' mwe a r i ngt he ma ga i n,j us tl i ket heni ghtweme t ? " " We a r i ngwha t ? " " Ga r t e r s . "He l donal e ve lwi t hhi m,s h epe e r e ds ol e mnl yi nt ohi svi vi de ye s ." Youknow,t hos es e xyl i t t l e de vi c e sus e dt ohol dups t oc ki ngs ?The yc a mebe f or es omet ot a lmor oni nve nt e dpa nt yhos e . " Hec l e a r e dhi st hr oa t ,t he ns a i d," La c ega r t e r s ? " " Uhhuh.Thes a mea sbe f or e . " I nas i ngl es t r ongmove me nt ,Da nes h i f t e dhi shol donhe rs ot ha thec r a dl e dhe rc ompl e t e l ya ga i ns thi s c he s t .The nhehe a de df ort hebe dr oom. Br e a t hl e s s l y,J e nni f e rs a i d," Is uppos eyouc a na l wa yss l e e pl a t e r ? " " Muc hl a t e r , "Da nes a i d,a ndki c ke dt hebe dr oomdoors hutbe hi ndt he m.

Epi l ogue " Is t i l lc a n' tbe l i e vei t , "Ra ve nLongs a i d,s t udyi ngSkyei nt e nt l y." Ia l wa yst houghtDa newor emor et ha n oneha t–butIne ve rs us pe c t e dt he r ewe r et woofyou. " " Youwe r e n' ts uppos e dt o, "Skyer e mi nde dhe ri na mus e me nt . Shes i ghe d,t he nl ooke da the rhus ba n d,whowa ss i t t i ngbe s i dehe ront hec ouc hi nt he i rhot e ls ui t e ." And i fDa neha dn' tbol t e dof fonhi shone ymoon,we ' dpr oba bl yne ve rha veknown. "Pa r e nt he t i c a l l y,s hea dde d," I kne whe ' dge ts i de t r a c ke dbyt ha tbl onde . " J os hs mi l e da the r ,hi snor ma l l yha r dbl uee ye ss of t e ne d,a sa l wa ys ,whe nhel ooke da the r ." Bynow,we s houl dha vel e a r ne dt oe xpe c tt hi ss or toft hi ng, "hec omme nt e d. Ra ve ns mi l e di na gr e e me nt ,t he nr e t ur ne dhe rga z et oSkye ." Butyous a i dt ha ts e c ur i t yma nofKe l l y' s ha ds omei nt e r e s t i ngi nf or ma t i on? " Skyen odde d." Ve r yi nt e r e s t i ng.I ta ppe a r sheha dabr i e fs t i nta saf e de r a la ge nta boutt het i mehewa s l e a vi ngt humbpr l nt sont hel oc kofyoura pa r t me nt . " Ra ve ns t a r e da thi mf oral ongmome n t ,a ndt he ns a i dhol l owl y," Don' tt e l lme–" Cl e a r i nghi st hr oa t ,Skyemur mur e d." Af r a i ds o. " Thi r t ys e c ondsl a t e r .Ra ve nwa sonhe rf e e ta ndpa c i ngvi ol e nt l y." Hage n, "s heut t e r e di navoi c et ha t ma det hena meac ur s e ." He ' sgo net oof a r ,J os h,t hi st i mehe ' sr e a l l yc r os s e dt hel i ne !I ' l lki l lhi mwi t hmyba r e ha nds . " He rhus ba ndl i tac i ga r e t t e ,wa t c hi nghe rc a l ml y." Don' twa s t ee ne r gyge t t i ngma d,da r l i ng, "het ol dhe r . " Thi st i me ,we ' r egoi ngt oge te ve n. " Skye ,wa t c hi ngt he m,f e l tas t a bofpi t yf orHa ge n.He ' ds e e ns mi l e sbe f or el i ket heki ndt he s et wowe r e we a r i ng;he ' de ve nwor naf e whi ms e l f...j us tbe f or ea l lhe l lbr okel oos e .