They laughed and their laughter confused poor Echo even more.
"Get going," Rhona said. "You have a lot to do."
I turned Echo away and led her to the stairway. She was full of questions for me, but I told her to go up and change to help me prepare dinner. I said I would tell her more later. She did it, but she
didn't like it. Meanwhile. I went to Lourdes, who was working in the kitchen, and told her I had just come from visiting Mrs. Westington in the hospital and she wanted me to tell her to leave. She didn't believe me and insisted she finish up in the kitchen. I explained that Mrs. Westington's daughter was in charge now and she wanted me to do the cleaning. I saw how it hurt Lourdes's feelings, but reluctantly she finally obeyed and left, mumbling in Spanish.
I took out the steaks and got potatoes out of the pantry, some canned vegetables, and then began to prepare a salad with what was left in the refrigerator. I kept looking through the window toward Trevor's vineyard and winery, anticipating his arrival. How was I going to tell him what was happening? I wondered. If I didn't say it right, he would get enraged and come at Rhona and Skeeter. Then she might just do what she threatened and I would have made everything ten times as bad.
All I've done is brought hardship and horror to this house and family. I thought. Maybe it wasn't my loving dead souls who delivered me here after all. Maybe it was something darker, something very evil. My anger and rage toward Tyler was greater than ever. Because of what he had told his mother. I was now in this predicament. All of us were ensnared. Echo. Trevor, Mrs. Westington, and me. Trust no one but yourself from now on. I thought, if there would be a now on. Right now, disaster loomed over this house like a gigantic bruised cloud threatening to drop a cold, hard rain.
Echo came down and I immediately got her busy peeling potatoes and then setting the table. which I told her would be set only for four. Of course, she wanted to know why not five, but instead of answering. I said. "Just do it." I hated being so hard. but I had no explanations I could give her and I was tired of searching high and low for acceptable lies. Silence. I thought, was finally a better choice after all when it came to her.
Soon after I heard Trevor's truck pull into the driveway and park by the winery. He got out and carried some boxes into the building. I rehearsed my story and prayed that I could be convincing enough to keep him from getting too upset and causing trouble. I took a deep breath. told Echo I would be right back, and then walked out, pausing near the living room.
"How's our dinner coming?" Rhona asked.
"It's coming," I said.
"Good. After dinner you can return to the hospital to see my mother. I'll give you the papers for her to sign. You'll leave Echo here," she added. "I don't like her going back and forth to a hospital. Kids can catch something. right. Skeeter?"
He laughed. "Yeah, like a sexually transmitted disease."
They both laughed. I bit down hard on my lower lip and went out to speak with Trevor.
"They giving you trouble?" he asked the moment I appeared in the winery doorway.
"No, but I think they're getting very bored here," I replied.
"Very likely."
"It's probably best to just avoid confrontations. I don't think they'll hang around much longer."
He nodded.
"I mean, if they make more trouble or we get into fights with them. Mrs, Westington will just get so upset and that won't help her get better."
"Uh-huh," he said, scrutinizing me with eyes that went over my face like a fine-tooth comb. "They ask you to come over here and tell me to stay away?"
I looked up.
"It's all right," he said. "I know they just making things miserable for you and Echo over there. I'll stay out of their faces until they go or unless you need me. All you gotta do is holler my way. understand?"
"Yes."
"The truth is she's blood and I ain't and the courts and law will side with her against me and you anyway. We just got to do what's best for Echo and Mrs. Westington right now.
Sometimes going around a fire is better than confronting it head on. It'll burn itself out and those two will surely burn themselves out eventually."
"I know you're right. Trevor,"
"I'm here if you need me," he emphasized.
"Okay. Thanks," I said, and returned to the house, grateful for Trevor's understanding.
Skeeter and Rhona had gone upstairs. I looked in on Echo, who had put on her grandmother's apron and was preparing the salad. Stepping into her a grandmother's shoes made her feel closer to her. I imagined, I complimented her on her work and told her I was going upstairs to wash and change for dinner. When I got to the top of the stairway, I went to what had been my room, not thinking or remembering what Rhona had said she had done.
I opened the door and confronted them both naked, making love on the bed. Rhona's legs wrapped around Skeeter's waist, The bed was shaking and rocking with his thrusts. The sight was so surprising and shocking, I didn't move or speak. Rhona looked around Skeeter's arm and smiled at me. He saw she was looking my way and turned his head.