Page 148 of Silent Scream

The female smiled widely and took a business card from her pocket. ‘My name is Hannah Evans from Enterprise Electronics. We’re here to see Lucy.’

‘But ... I don’t ... what?’

She rubbed her hands together and blew into them. ‘Mr Payne, may we come in?’

William stepped aside.

Hannah Evans stepped into the lounge and stood before his daughter. The man sat and opened his briefcase.

‘Good morning, Lucy. My name is Hannah and I am very pleased to meet you.’

Her smile was open and warm, her tone friendly and calm, unlike the condescending tone used by most adults.

‘Are you well today?’

Lucy blinked.

‘That means yes,’ William offered.

Hannah remained where she was and smiled in his direction. ‘I know that, Mr Payne. The language of blinking is quite common in people with communication limitations.’

Hannah Evans rolled her eyes at his daughter, who gurgled in response.

‘Umm ... excuse me,’ William said, bewildered. ‘But I don’t understand who you are or what you are doing here.’

‘It’s really quite simple, Mr Payne. We specialise in the most advanced technological systems that can be operated with the least amount of physical activity. We, as a company, exist to make life far more exciting and interesting for people with physical restrictions.’

William’s mind was spinning. ‘But I don’t get it. I haven’t spoken to ... I have no money for ...’

‘My understanding is that the cost has been taken care of.’ She held up her hands. ‘That is not my area of the business and I have my instructions.’

William felt as though he had been transported to an alternate universe. His mind scrambled for answers but he found none.

Hannah turned her attention back to his daughter.

‘Lucy, I have only one question. Do you have control of at least one finger?’

Two blinks.

Hannah smiled widely at William. ‘Then I think there is much we can do here.’

Seventy-Eight

Kim lookedat the offering before her and decided that Aunt Bessie was a damn liar.

She placed the ingredients box next to her own attempt just removed from the oven for comparison. Nope, no amount of icing or glittery embellishments would save them.

Kim threw the box in the bin. She felt betrayed.

She raised her eyes to the ceiling. ‘I try, Erica. I promise, I try.’

She heard the sound of a knock on the front door.

‘It’s open,’ she called.

Bryant entered wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, carrying a pizza box.

‘Missed you at work today,’ he said, placing the box on the counter top.