p you," she threatened, but quickly
smiled when Celia followed us in with some more
dishes. However, she had heard Brenda's warning and
threat.
"Oh, don't yell at her about the cookies. Brenda.
She probably ate out of nervousness more than
anything."
"I wasn't nervous," I shot back. I didn't want her
coming to my defense.
"Believe me, honey, you were nervous," she
said. nodding. "We've all been there,"
Brenda and she nodded. The two of them
looked so smug, so confident. They knew even-thing;
I knew nothing. I put the silverware down and left the
kitchen.
"I'm tired. Mama," I said, returning to the
dining room. "Do you mind if I just go to bed?" "Oh, sure. April. I know you went through a
terrible experience. Don't worry. Celia and Brenda
will help with everything," she told me.
Yes. Celia and Brenda can easily replace me. I
thought, and went to my room. I didn't do anything. I
sprawled out on my stomach and pressed my face to
my pillow so hard I nearly smothered myself. I
thought about Daddy and how he was before he had
turned into Mr. Hyde. How quickly he would have
come to my defense in this situation. Everyone needed
someone to champion him or her. Even serial killers
had good lawyers these days, or they had mothers
who couldn't imagine them being so terrible. I thought about David. Luke. and Jenna and
how they were probably off somewhere having a good