Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

their faces." She threaded her fingers through her hair

madly. "They know I rarely do what they can do

anytime they want. I hate their pity! I hate it!" She clenched her hands into small fists and pounded the

tops of her thighs.

"It's been this way for years and years and I've

tried to keep my sanity just so you would grow up in a

happy home, but I can't sacrifice any more. I won't! I

won't give up what is so precious and fleeting--my

youth and my beauty. I won't wilt away like some

flower closed off from the sun.

"I belong out there on the dance floors, at the

operas and the theater, at the seashore resorts, at the

parties with my picture being taken for the society

pages.

"Do you have any idea how many affairs I had

to miss because your father was too busy to attend?

Do you?" She then took a breath. Her face was scarlet

and her eyes were screwed so tight that I was

frightened. I was stunned by her outburst. Never had I

imagined she harbored such resentment and despair. I wanted to hate her for what she was doing to

Daddy and to me, but seeing her in such a state, her

eyes bulging, her hair pulled out, her face red with

frustration, all I could think was that this terrifying

creature wasn't my mother.

"Daddy is sorry about all that. He really is." "I'm sure he is . . . for the moment, but tomorrow some crisis at his business will take up his attention and he will forget what has happened

between us."

"No, Momma, he won't. Can't you let him try

again? Can't you?" I pleaded.

"I have let him try again, Leigh. Many, many

times. This didn't just start recently. It started almost