"Wow. I guess Mrs. Westington was right. You
have been dragged over the coals."
"I'm not looking for any sympathy," I said. I
wanted to add "especially from you," but I held that
back.
"That's good. Old Chinese proverb say 'He who
feels sorry for himself can demand an apology from
no one.' "
"What's that mean?" I asked. grimacing. He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I got it in a fortune
cookie." He held his expression for a moment and
then he burst out laughing, The expression of surprise
on my face made him laugh harder.
Finally. I started to laugh myself. I was
laughing through tears and it was like sunshine on a
rainy day.
"Do me a favor,' he said when we docked the
rowboat. "What?"
"Show me that doll. I'm curious about it and
how Echo described it."
I looked at him suspiciously.
"I just want to see how a doll could upset her so
much and understand how you and your uncle used it
in the show. If makes you uncomfortable to do it. I
understand."
"No, it's all right," I said. "I shouldn't have left
Destiny like that anyway."
"Destiny? The doll has a name?"
"Yes. That was her real name."
"Real name? I don't get it."
"She was a real person. I'll show you pictures