Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

turned to look out the windows.

"Finally." she said. rising.

We both went to the doorway of the living

room. We could hear Rhona's loud peal of laughter.

Skeeter was making some strange sound, imitating

something that resembled an elephant. The door

opened and they entered with Echo, who looked like

she had been asleep, probably in the van. Her eyes

were droopy and she barely had enough energy to

smile when she saw us.

"Where have you been with her?" Mrs.

Westington demanded immediately.

Even though a good five or six feet separated us

from them. I could smell the odor of whiskey, Skeeter

swayed a little. holding on to his dumb grin. Rhona

wavered, her hands on Echo's shoulders.

"What are you getting yourself in an uproar

about. Ma? We just stopped at one of old hangouts

and I met same of my old friends, friends I haven't

seen for ten years."

"And what did Echo do all that time you were

in a bar? Don't tell me you took her in. too." "No. She stayed in the van and actually took a

nap on our bedding,"

"You let that girl sleep on that lice-infested

filthy old mattress you had in that van?"

"Don't exaggerate, Ma. It just looks dirty. It's

not. It's old."

"And well used," Skeeter added with a laugh. "Yes, well used,' Rhona agreed.

"Come here," Mrs. Westinton beckoned to

Echo. She moved quickly to her and Mrs. Westington