Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"Wow. I guess Mrs. Westington was right. You

have been dragged over the coals."

"I'm not looking for any sympathy," I said. I

wanted to add "especially from you," but I held that

back.

"That's good. Old Chinese proverb say 'He who

feels sorry for himself can demand an apology from

no one.' "

"What's that mean?" I asked. grimacing. He shrugged. "I'm not sure. I got it in a fortune

cookie." He held his expression for a moment and

then he burst out laughing, The expression of surprise

on my face made him laugh harder.

Finally. I started to laugh myself. I was

laughing through tears and it was like sunshine on a

rainy day.

"Do me a favor,' he said when we docked the

rowboat. "What?"

"Show me that doll. I'm curious about it and

how Echo described it."

I looked at him suspiciously.

"I just want to see how a doll could upset her so

much and understand how you and your uncle used it

in the show. If makes you uncomfortable to do it. I

understand."

"No, it's all right," I said. "I shouldn't have left

Destiny like that anyway."

"Destiny? The doll has a name?"

"Yes. That was her real name."

"Real name? I don't get it."

"She was a real person. I'll show you pictures