Page 42

doesn't have to know. It would only upset her anyway

and we don't want to do that, do we? Cathy?' "He needed to hear my answer. My voice

cracked, but I managed.

"'No,' I said. My heartbeat was so quick, I

couldn't catch my breath.

"Moments later, he was gone and I fell into a

pool of confusion, my body in a turmoil and yet, I was

happy I was still able to be my daddy's special girl,

happy I wasn't a bad girl in his eyes."

I paused. The three were so still, their eyes

unmoving, their lips frozen.

"Well," Doctor Marlowe said after a moment,

"why don't we take another break and I'll see about

lunch."

No one moved; no one spoke.

"Anyone need to go to the bathroom or

anything?"

"I do," Misty said rising. She looked at me.

"Unless you have to go first."

"No, I'm fine," I said.

The rain had started. The wind blew drops

against the window and they zigzagged their way

down like crooked tears. When I looked back at Jade,

she was staring at the floor. Star was gazing out the

window. She looked so deep in thought it made my

heart skip a beat. Their silence was louder than the

thunder rolling in from the storm.

Despite feeling somewhat drained, I still

thought I could do this. Doctor Marlowe had brought

me to this stage in my therapy, holding my hand,