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She turned and smiled. "Because I had to burn them and bury them. Noble."

"You burned them?"

"Of course. Haven't I always taught you that fire is the most effective form of purification? Be careful. Don't give your trust and your good heart away too quickly. Take good care of Baby Celeste. I'll be home before dinner," she said, and left.

I stood there staring at the closed door, my heart pounding. Burned them? Buried them?

I looked at Baby Celeste, who had gotten herself ready to go out to the garden. Time to work," she said.

I started for the door.

"Where do you think you're going?" I heard Betsy ask, and turned to see her standing in the hallway. "Get your ass in here and work on the pantry."

But if I don't do what has to be done in the garden..."

"I don't care about that stupid garden. Did you find out where my clothes are?"

"Burned," Baby Celeste said.

I turned to look at her so quickly, a sharp pain shot through my neck. She looked so much older, her face firm and her eyes steady and dark.

"What did she say?"

"Nothing. I didn't get a chance to find out."

"Yeah. right. When your mother gets back, we're going to the mall, Noble. God, why do I keep calling you that? Maybe I'll just forget and call you Celeste. huh?"

I saw how much she enjoyed tormenting me.

Panther started to cry in the kitchen. She had left him in the bassinet.

"Oh, that kid is so cranky here. Actually, he's cranky everywhere. I'm too young for a baby. Look after him, too. I'm going to borrow some of your mother's makeup and see about my hair."

"You can't go into her bedroom! I cried.

"Watch me. She took mine, didn't she? I want to do my nails, too. Im falling apart in this house. You'll bring my lunch up to me later. Ill have an egg sandwich. I have to admit that bread your mother makes is good. She should be a baker and stop all this other nonsense."

Panther's cries grew louder.

Betsy put her hands over her ears. "It's all yours," she said, and hurried to the stairway.

I went into the kitchen, Baby Celeste followed; however, she looked unhappy about it. She waited while I calmed Panther, but she looked impatient.

"We have to go to the garden," she said. "Not now. First we have to do the pantry." "No," she said firmly.

"Just listen to me and do what I say. Celeste," I said irritably. Betsy was doing this to me, making me intolerant, but I couldn't help it.

Baby Celeste shook her head defiantly and started out of the kitchen.

"Celeste, don't you dare go out You wait for me to finish in here first. You can help with the pantry."

"We have to go to the garden."

Panther started to cry again. What did he want? He had been fed and he didn't feel wet. "Shh." I said, rocking him gently. He cried harder.

"The garden." Baby Celeste said, and stamped her foot. Then she turned to go out the front door.

I ran after her and, holding Panther in my tight arm, seized her shoulder with my left and turned her back sharply. She winced but she didn't cry.