on the tests."
"That's all anyone can do, the best she can.
Come on in here and let me show you the right way to
prepare a meat loaf. One of these days, you'll be
winning a man through his stomach," she added, and
disappeared into the kitchen,
Would I? I wondered. Would I ever have any
semblance of a normal life? Any real relationships? Working beside Mrs. Westington in her kitchen
recalled the many times I worked beside my mother.
Just as Mama had told me about her l
ife as a child.
Mrs. Westington told me about working in the kitchen
beside her own mother. The affection and the love
between her and her mother was as palpable to me as
the affection and love I had shared with mine. I
enjoyed hearing her stories, but when she talked about happier times with her family, she reminded me of my own and that brought tears to my eyes and a heaviness to my heart. When would nice things, happy things, stand on their own for me and not resurrect memories that only brought back pain? Would it be like this for
me forever and ever?
I hid my sadness from Mrs. Westington and
together we prepared the dinner. She let me set the
table and then I went to freshen up.
If Echo was still upset about confronting the
Destiny doll, she didn't show it at dinner. nor had she
mentioned it to Mrs. Westington, Trevor Washington,
on the other hand, looked suspicious and troubled to
me whenever he glanced my way. When he invited
me to look at the wine-processing equipment and
storage facility after dinner. I quickly accepted. "Can't you think of a better way to waste her
time?" Mrs. Westington quipped.
"No. Ma'am." he said, and winked at me. Echo wanted to go along as well. With an
impish smile on his face. Trevor invited Mrs.