Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"Until hell freezes over, it seems. My doctor is rolling the dice with different medications to see which one sticks. If I survive it, he'll let me out" she replied.

"That's not the way it is. Mrs. Westington, and you know it," I said.

Echo was signing to Tyler, trying to get his full attention, asking him when he was coming back. "What she should do with the work he had given her?" "How would she know what to study next?" He gave her a quick. "We'll worry about it later. After your grandmother is well," reply, and her arms floated down like two small kites that had lost their lift of wind.

"What I really stopped in to say. Mrs, Westington. is I would be glad to help you with the arrangements for Echo while you're stuck in here. I thought about it and realized I could be of assistance in that regard."

"Oh, that's kindly of you. Tyler. but I think I'll wait on that until I'm out. It's not going to be easy for her and I'd like to be right there with her."

He nodded, "I understand. I just wanted you to know I would be glad to do whatever else I can. I assume you've been told that I have to end my tutoring." he added, glancing at me.

"No. No one bothered telling me. but I'm not surprised at all this secrecy."

"Things have become harder for my mother at the store and the plant. I must devote more time to it."

"I see." she said. "Well, then we'll make enrolling Echo in that school a priority as soon as I'm out."

"Good. I really can't stay long. I'm just on my way to do some errands for my mother and took a detour to see you."

"Thank you for coming and for the flowers. Tyler."

"You're welcome. Mrs. Westington. I always liked working for you and being in your home."

"And you're welcome back anytime." she said.

He looked at me again, but all I did was glare at him. I didn't care how uncomfortable it made him. He nodded, said goodbye to Echo, telling her to be a good girl, and then hurried out.

"Well now," Mrs. Westington said as soon as he was gone. "What other bad news are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "I didn't think it mattered to tell you that right away."

"At least the boy has a conscience."

"The jury's still out on that," I muttered, and she looked at me. Trevor laughed and then she did. too.

To my surprise. Rhona did not come to the hospital all day. Trevor left to return to his deliveries. Echo dozed off out of boredom a few times, as did Mrs. Westington. It took me a while to get over Tyler's unexpected appearance. but I finally calmed myself and went down to the hospital store to buy magazines for Echo and myself. We had lunch with Mrs. Westington and then she insisted we go home.

"This is no place to keep her anyway," she told me. "Just let her go home and stay busy and keep her away from her mother as much as possible."

"I will,"," I promised. I signed to Echo that we'd return in the morning and to say good-bye for now. She did and we left.

I knew where the school was that Echo would attend. I thought it might be beneficial to show it to her. She didn't mind the riding around with me anyway. I knew she wasn't anxious to return to the house. Her mother's behavior the night before had disturbed and frightened her. Being out and about with me made her feel older, more mature as well. I didn't tell her we were going to the school or mention it until we drew close to it.

From the outside, it looked like any other public high school. It was a long, rust-colored brick building with a decent-sized front lawn and a parking lot off to the right. At first Echo didn't think anything of it. Then we both caught sight of a young woman using sign language with a girl about Echo's age. The other girl signed back and they continued to stroll around the north side of the building.

Echo turned to me and asked about it. I explained that it was a special school for kids her age who had hearing and seeing disabilities. Behind the school itself was a dormitory for the students.

"You mean you sleep here, too?" she asked.

I nodded and she looked at it again. I didn't think it would be harmful to drive in and look around, but when I did, she immediately asked me why I was doing it.

"Wouldn't you like to go to school here?" I asked her. "You could be with other young people your age."

She stared out at the buildings for a moment. The way her eyes narrowed and widened told me she was thinking deeply about it all. Suddenly, she turned and just stared at me.

"What?" I asked her. smiling.

"My grandmother is not coming home?" she asked.