Part 2 (1/2)

woman for one thing, and you'll find out what that is soon enough. When

they're done, they're done, and you're left with a big stomach and a

broken heart.”

She picked up a cigarette and began to smoke it in quick, jerky puffs as

she paced. She wished it was gra.s.s, sweet, calming gra.s.s, but she'd

spent her drug money on Emma's new dress. The sacrifices a mother made.

”Well, he may not want you, but after one look he won't be able to deny

you're his.” Eyes narrowed against the smoke, she studied her daughter.

There was another tug, almost maternal. The little tyke was certainly

pretty as a picture when she was cleaned up. ”You're the G.o.dd.a.m.n image

of him, Emma luy. The papers say he's going to marry that Wilson

s.l.u.t-old money and fancy manners-but we'll see, we'll just see about

that. He'll come back to me. I always knew he'd come back.” She

stubbed the cigarette in a chipped ashtray and left it smoldering. She

needed a drink-just one taste of gin to calm her nerves. ”You sit on the

bed,” she ordered. ”Sit right there and keep quiet. Mess with any of my

stuff, and you'll be sorry.”

She had two drinks before she heard the knock on the door. Her heart

began to pound. Like most drunks, she felt more attractive, more in

control, once she'd had the liquor. She smoothed down her hair, fixed

what she thought was a sultry smile on her face, and opened the door.

He was beautiful. For a moment in the streaming summer sunlight, she

saw only him, tall and slender, his wavy blond hair and full, serious

mouth giving him the look of a poet or an apostle. As nearly as she was

able, she loved.

”Brian. So nice of you to drop by.” Her smile faded immediately when