Chapter 22: Backs

"He never told her a thing," Delphine said.

Her voice was thin, and it carried to every wall.

"Tilda asked him, Mother, and he refused. You know he did."

A sound went through the benches that was not quite a word.

Enid did not move.

"My daughter is overwrought," she said.

"I'm not." Delphine turned to the hall, and her hands were shaking at her sides.

"You told me to say he confirmed it. You told me what to say this morning, in the kitchen."

"Delphine."

"You tapped the cane, and I watched you do it, and I kept quiet."

Nobody on the benches breathed.

"I sewed her dress, and I took her tea, and I watched her from the creek," Delphine said.

"I did it all for you. I'm finished."

"Sit down."

"There's one more."

Delphine looked across the hall at Dorian.

Her face was gray, and she did not look away from him.

"Every month since I was thirteen, I've carried an envelope to the post office for her," she said.

"It goes to a woman in Wenatchee. It's money."

Dorian had stopped moving.

"Your sister is alive, Alpha Ketch," Delphine said.

"She's been paid to say she's fine and to tell you to stay away. I didn't know what it was until this year. I'm sorry."

I saw his chest rise once and not fall.

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