Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

to put the motor home up for sale and he had arranged

for someone to come by in the morning and drive it

over to the auctioneer. He wanted me to be sure I had

taken everything out of it that I wanted.

I had known this news would be coming

anytime, but actually hearing it put a chill in my heart.

I told Mrs. Westington and she saw it all in my face. "You've got to let go now, April," she said.

"You've got to cut the past away. I know what I'm

talking about. I've done it many times and I'm doing it

now. Sometimes it's painful and sometimes it's not,

but it has to be. We move on.'

"I know," I said. "I guess I'd better go through

the motor home and get what I don't want thrown out

or taken by someone."

"You want me to help you?"

"Oh, no. I'll be just fine," I said. Of course, we

both knew that was a boldface lie.

When I entered the motor home. I simply stood

there looking at everything at first, not knowing where

to start. I went through all of Uncle Palaver's drawers,

putting things in small bags and cartons. I discovered

old pictures of him and my mother, even pictures he

had saved of Brenda and me when we were much

younger. There was one picture of him and Daddy

that brought tears to my eyes. They both looked so

young back then, so young and full of hope and

energy. If only there was a way to bring pictures back

to life, to return to those happier times.

I found another cache of money hidden in a pair