CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and EIGHTEEN (part two) Wednesday afternoon — 3:40 P.M. Jacob looked across the kitchen table at Valerie. She scowled at him. “What I don’t get is…” she started just as he said, “Who the hell are you to…” They glared at each other. Valerie sighed and tried another tack. “Why didn’t you [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and EIGHTEEN (part one) Wednesday afternoon — 3:40 P.M. “Why don’t you start?” the group therapist asked. “Tell us who you are and why you’re here.” “I’m Sandy. Mitzi’s older sister,” Sandy said to the group. “I’m here to help Sis… I mean Mitzi get better.” Sandy smiled at Sissy and took [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTEEN (part six) Wednesday morning — 6:20 A.M. “Wake up,” Charlie shook Nash’s shoulder. “What wrong with you?” Nash asked. “You scared me half to death.” “Oh, sorry,” Charlie said. “I said your name and tried to wake you gentle but…” Nash’s alarm went off with a blast. “That’s how you [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTEEN (part five) “What’s wrong with me?” Charlie asked. “What do you mean?” Delphie asked. “I’ve never been quite… normal,” Charlie stumbled and rushed his words. “When my glasses broke, I was glad ‘cuz I didn’t have to try so hard any more. I can’t read or do what other kids [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTEEN (part four) “Where are you going?” Charlie asked. “I’m going to see if I can do something for wife,” Aden said. “Delphie offered to stay with you kids tonight. Sandy and I will stay upstairs so Jill can fuss over her.” Charlie felt a stab of sorrow that surprised even [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTEEN (part three) Coming into the living room, Valerie carried a pot of beef stew. Delphie followed her with bowls and loaves of sour dough bread. Seeing Valerie, the boys nudged each other. “You made all of this?” Mike asked Val. “Delphie made it this afternoon,” Valerie smirked at him. “You’re [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTEEN (part two) Nash’s door opened and Aden walked in. “What’s this?” Aden asked. “This isn’t what you think,” Nash started. “How do you know what I think?” Aden asked. “Noelle get to bed. Nash get in bed. Good lord, don’t we have enough trouble without you guys misbehaving?” “Dad, we…” [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTEEN (part one) Charlie stopped in his tracks. Sandy was crying about… him. He took a step back into the hall. Unbidden, his mind flashed on Sandy’s bright face. She was the light of his life. No matter what he did, she had always loved him. He remembered seeing her outside [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SIXTEEN (part six) Thursday — 9:25 P.M. Charlie woke up with a start. He hadn’t intended to fall asleep. But like always, lying on Noelle’s bed, he’d fallen asleep. He shook himself to make sure he was awake. And angry. He hated rehab. He wouldn’t speak to Aden in the car [...]

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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SIXTEEN (part five) “Who is Jillian Roper?” Salvator asked. Jill raised her hand. Awful woman snickered. “Stand beside your chair when I call on you,” he said. “I’m Jillian Roper, sir,” Jill popped to her feet. “I had dinner last night at the Biatchi mansion,” Salvator said. “I understand you and [...]

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