April Shadows (Shadows 1)

"You were lucky to have him. The only thing I

remember my father saying is good-bye."

Brenda glanced at her and slipped her right

hand into Celia's. They held hands up until the

moment Brenda had to turn into our driveway. Why does she feel so sorry for her and not sorry

at all for me? I thought sadly.

"April," Mama said as soon as I entered, "what

happened to you?"

I glanced at Brenda and then related the

fabricated story as quickly as I could. I was not a very

good liar. Daddy used to tell me my face turned to

glass whenever I tried, and he could see right through

to the squiggly little deceptions. Mama wasn't as keen,

especially these days. She listened, and then she felt

sorry for me, which only made me feel more terrible.

Brenda was satisfied with my performance, however.

I was sent to shower and change and come to our late

dinner.

I ate well, too well for Brenda, who watched

me like a hawk every time I reached for something.

but I couldn't help how much I ate. I had had no

lunch.

"You want to know what disappointed me the

most today, April?" she told me in the kitchen after I

had brought in some dishes and silverware to wash.

"Seeing you eat that fattening candy when we picked

you up."

"It wasn't candy: it was cookies," I said. "Yeah, right. Like that makes a difference If

you're just going to go back to your old ways. I won't

bother trying to hel