Olivia (Logan 5)

family papers. He turned from the cabinet when I

> entered.

"Don't you think that was nervy, coming here

like that, Daddy? Surely, one of them . . ."

"Don't, Olivia," he said, holding up his hand.

"We've put it out of mind."

"I know, Daddy. I'm just . . . so angry at her for

what she's done," I said.

"Yes, I know, but you've got to look after her,

Olivia. We've learned that lesson."

Why Daddy tolerated weakness in Belinda and

no one else, including my mother, was a question that

stuck like a bone in my throat.

"I'm depending on you to watch over her," he

said. "She'll listen to you."

"She hasn't up until now, Daddy. That's been

proven in a terrible way."

"I know, but I believe she will change," he

insisted.

I stared at him a moment and he had to shift his

eyes from mine, something he rarely did. We had an

unspoken but realized connection, an understanding,

Daddy and I. We knew we couldn't lie to each other. He was lying to me right now and he knew I

knew it. He didn't really believe Belinda could

change.

Why was he lying?

My anger at Belinda expanded like a balloon

filling with hate because she was making Daddy lie. Someday, I vowed, she would understand and

appreciate what she has done and she will beg

forgiveness. In my heart, however, I believed it would