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"I'm just trying to be more caring." Betsy said. "Losing a child at that age had to be devastating for you. I can't imagine how I would feel if someone just upped and took Panther one day. I don't think I'd rest a minute or do another thing until I had found him."

Mama glared at her. "I don't rest and she's never out of my mind, but I have many responsibilities," Mama told her, each word as sharp as a slap.

Betsy smiled to herself and nodded. She looked down and Mama relaxed her shoulders, but I knew this was not going to end.

"Here's what I really wonder. Sarah. You have such faith in your spirits, why haven't they told you where Celeste is?" Betsy looked up again. She made herself look as interested and as sincere as she possibly could.

I quickly swung my eyes to Mama. How would she answer such a question?

The spirits that guide us, that exist among us, are only here," she said softly. They do not wander the world like lost souls looking for a home and bring back news of the world. This is their home. We are their family."

"But --"

"That's enough!" Mama slapped her hand on the table so hard, a dish bounced. Baby Celeste's eyes widened and I looked down.

A long moment of silence passed. Mama began eating again.

"Whatever,' Betsy said. "Noble has offered to take me and Panther into town today," she continued almost in the same breath. "I need personal things now, not later."

Mama looked at her and then at me. "Noble, did you tell her such a thing?"

Words twisted like rubber bands in my throat.

He told me this morning, didn't you. Noble? I asked him to think about it last night, didn't I. Noble? When we had a nice chat. right. Noble?"

I felt as if the barrel of a pistol were pressed against my temple.

"Yes," I said, and looked quickly at Mama, "I thought, if she was finished with her work, we could just make a quick trip to the supermarket'

"No, its the mall I need to go to. Noble. I told you that."

"Well, you're not finished with your work," Mama told Betsy. "I want you to clean out the pantry today, dust off the shelves, and then rearrange everything so it is all neatly set. The floor has to be washed in there as well. This is not a day to go anywhere. Besides." Mama continued like someone putting the finishing touches on a well-prepared response that anticipated Betsy's request, "I will be using the car today. I have to meet with Mr. Bogart and discuss our business."

Betsy's eves radiated her anger, but she kept herself calm and smiled.

"Okay. By the time you return, I'll have all that done and then Noble can take me. right. Noble?" she hammered in my direction.

I looked at Mama. "Would that be all right. Mama?"

"We'll see." she said. pursing her lips. She was mad at me, but I felt caught like a fly in a spider's web. Struggling only ensnared me more.

Afterward. when Betsy was in the bathroom. Mama asked me why I had promised her such a thing.

"She was so desperate and pleading and crying. I didn't know what

else to tell her. Mama."

She considered, "Well.. I don't mind your being compassionate, Noble, but you have to be careful with her. She knows how to take advantage of people and play upon their kindnesses. Look what she did to her poor father."

"I know, Mama. but I think things would be easier for all of us if she was Given some rewards for the work she's doing. She's doing what you want her to do now," I emphasized.

"Hmm. Maybe."

"Can she have her own clothes back?"

"I don't see how that's possible." Mama started out to the car.

"Why not. Mama?" I dared to pursue.