Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

April, and Echo?" Trevor teased.

She gave him a look that could sink a battleship

and he roared with laughter.

"I have a madman on my property," she told

me.

Actually. I thought Mrs. Westington was more

depressed because of Echo's disappointment than

because of her own.

Such an elaborate and joyous family dinner as

the one Echo had envisioned with her mother present

was probably a dream. She nibbled on her food and

had to be continually pressed to eat more.

"I wish that girl wouldn't have come back,"

Mrs. Westington finally muttered. "She's only made

matters worse by giving the child hope.'

After dinner Mrs. Westington permitted Echo

to do more of the cleanup than usual. Trevor waited in

the living room to challenge Echo to a game of

checkers, something they often played in the evening.

She played, but she kept looking toward the windows,

hoping for headlights to indicate her mother's arrival.

It didn't happen and she finally grew tired enough to

go upstairs to bed. The sadness brought on fatigue as

well. Trevor and I looked at each other. Now that I

had the chance. I told him what I had witnessed in

Healdsburg.

"There's the distinct possibility they're gone,"

he whispered. "Run away."

"I hope so," I said. Looking at Echo's face. I felt

cruel for saying it, but every instinct in me told me