Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"You're happy to see me at least, aren't you. Trevor?" Rhona asked him, her voice sweet and syrupy.

Trevor's eyes shifted quickly to Mrs.

Westington and then he looked away.

"All right. Rhona." Mrs. Westington said sharply. "to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit by you and Mr. Skeeter?"

"I've just been through hell. Mom. Skeeter helped me a great deal, I would have thought you would be

a little more considerate since you knew what I've been through," Rhona whined.

"I'm sorry to say it. Rhona, but I doubt very much you're through with hell," Mrs. Westington said. She turned to Echo and me. "Let's get our things inside and up to your rooms, girls," she told me. I signed quickly to Echo, who was just standing there and gaping at Rhona.

"Who is she?' Rhona asked, nodding at me.

"This is April Taylor. She's been helping me with Echo. You can thank her properly later," Mrs.

"Is she staying in my room? I see it's being used."

"Your room? You gave up that room and a lot more years ago, Rhona."

"Well, where are Skeeter and I going to stay?"

"Who says you're staying?" Mrs. Westington retorted, and urged Echo and me to get our things again. I moved quickly, taking it all out of the station wagon. I glanced at Rhona, who had folded her arms petulantly under her breasts and stepped to the side, glaring at her mother. Skeeter kept a small smile on his face. They watched us enter the house and then followed.

"Now listen to me. Mom." Rhona began. "Please."

Ignoring her. Mrs. Westington turned to Trevor and nodded at the living room. "Would you be so kind as to turn that television set off. Trevor? We don't need the noise right now. Seems we have enough static already."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, glanced at Rhona, and then went into the living room to do it.

"Go on up. April. Help Echo put her things away. please.'

"Okay," I said. I looked at Rhona again. Her eyes were inflamed with indignation and resentment and it looked like it was all directed at me, as if I were the cause of all her lifelong problems.

Trevor stepped back into the hallway. "I've got something waiting on me back at the winery." he told Mrs. Westington, nodded at Rhona, and hurried out.

I gestured to Echo for us to go up the stairs.

"Wait a minute." Rhona said, reaching for Echo, who couldn't take her eyes off her. "Don't you want to say hello to your mother. Echo? Give her a proper greeting?"

"You forget the little signing you knew?" Mrs. Westington asked her.

"She knows what I'm saying."

"I doubt that," Mrs. Westinton told her. "I'm not deaf and I don't know what you're saying,"

Rhona held out her arms, again expecting Echo to come to her for an embrace. Echo looked at Mrs. Westington and then she turned and started up the stairs with her boxes and bags.

"Echo! Echo, you listen to me."

"Lardy Dee. Did you forget the child is deaf?" Mrs. Westington asked her. "She doesn't recognize you. probably. She was barely out of infancy when you deserted her.'

"Look, Mom. I came here because I need you to help us and since you helped me get past my recent troubles. I thought you would have a different attitude, especially when you hear and see how I would like to make things right and to do the right things from now on."

"Mending fences, are you?"

"Yes."