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.I actually consider reminding her of the reason she’s here, but that would be replacing one horror with another.I push myself up out of the chair.“Trish, I’m sorry.Something has happened.Your mother was killed last night.The police are looking into it.And I will, too, of course.”I realize I’m rambling, the same way Trish did moments before.But Trish is staring at me, empty-eyed and slack-jawed, all traces of life gone from her face.I take a step toward her, but she backs away.“I’m really sorry, Trish.I wish I could make this easier for you.Your grandmother is here.She doesn’t know where you are.If you’d like, I can get a message to her.”As I speak the words, I want to bite them back.Why did I say that? I can’t imagine that cold, arrogant bitch being of any comfort to Trish.I just don’t know what else to offer.Trish doesn’t know about the relationship she has to my family.I’m afraid telling her will only add to her confusion about her mother.Trish is staring at me, but with the shocked, glazed expression of one whose thoughts are turned inward.I can only imagine what terrible images are projecting themselves inside her head.“Trish? Talk to me, honey.”Comprehension creeps into her eyes.Like a drowning man who has been pulled from the sea, she draws a deep, ragged breath.Her chest heaves, but there are no tears.She begins to shake.I slip out of my jacket and hold it out to her.But once again, she draws back.“How did it happen?” she asks.The picture of Carolyn’s battered face and the knowledge of what had been done to her comes rushing back.But I could no more tell Trish any of that than I could remind her of why she is here.I lay the jacket on the back of a chair, using the time to gather my thoughts before answering.“The police aren’t sure.” It seems the least painful response.But she grasps the ambiguity and it sparks a flash of anger.“Don’t,” she snaps.“Don’t treat me like a child.You know what happened to me.You know the part my mother played in it.Was she killed like Barbara? Was she killed because of me?”I realize now that the image Trish projected when she first walked into this room had nothing to do with Sorrel.Trish wanted desperately to believe the things that happened to her were a nightmare from which she had finally awakened.Twenty-four hours in a safe environment and the possibility that her life might be her own again had made her giddy with youthful optimism.God, I do not want to be the one to shatter the illusion.And yet, this is the second time I’ve been the bearer of bad news.Telling her about Barbara was bad enough.How on earth can I tell her about her mother?I’ve never felt so helpless.I’m the adult.I should have instincts about this sort of thing.But seeing the distress in her face and the dread in her eyes renders me speechless.I wish my mother was here.The door opens, and for just an instant I irrationally think maybe it’s my mother come to rescue us.But of course, it’s not.Frey comes in and his expression softens when he looks at Trish.“Anna told you about your mother? I’m so sorry.”Trish goes to him, letting him put his arms around her, leaning against him and accepting from him the kind of solace she refused from me.It’s a bitter rebuff.If I’m to believe Sorrel, Trish is my niece.I should be the one comforting her.I take a step toward them.I look into Frey’s eyes and he seems to be reading my reaction.He shakes his head gently in a warning to respect Trish’s feelings.It stops me.I know he’s right.Trish needs to have someone she can open up to.I’d hoped it would be me.But we’ve only known each other one day.Frey is a teacher she likes and respects.It’s natural she would choose him.I don’t have to like it, though.Frey guides Trish over to one of the chairs and gently lowers her into it.She sits, clutching one of his hands as if afraid to let go.He smiles down at her and then turns to me.“There’s someone outside who wants to talk to you,” he says.“To me?” I ask, surprised.“Who knows I’m here?”He shakes his head, sitting down beside Trish.“Don’t worry.It’s someone you know.He’s waiting for you outside the door.”His words are a subtle push for me to leave the two of them alone.I bend down to look at Trish, to engage her eyes [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]