Eye of the Storm (Hudson 3)

chest to my stomach where he tickled me and made

me laugh,

"Daddy never did that to me before. I know he

did it to you, but never to me.

"Then he said. 'I bet you're catching up to

Megan, aren't you? You're twelve. Girls catch up

when they're twelve. Let's see.' he said and lifted my

nightie to see below, 'Yes, you are.' he said. 'I've got

two big girls now.'

"He made me feel good and kissed me on the

cheek and his face was so red and hot that it almost

burned mine when mine touched his.

"So he loves me." she concluded and did

another little turn. "Daddy loves me too."

She stopped and looked at me. I had no idea

what she was going to do next, but she lifted her hand

slowly toward me and touched my face.

"Cool," she said. "but not cool enough even

though your skin looks better today. Why, you almost look half alive, although you've lost weight, haven't

you? All your boyfriends will be upset, won't they?" She wiped her fingers on the bed as if she had

touched something slimy.

"I'm very sick." I whispered. "very sick." "I know, You feel terrible. It makes you feel

terrible, but you'll get better," she said, her eyes small.

''And then you'll be the pretty one again and Daddy

won't look at me as much."

She knelt beside my bed. Her smile became

vacuous, her eyes losing their light, flickering and

going pale and distant.

"I watch him when he's with you. I heard him

say you were so lovely you could bring love to