Chapter 12: Facts and a Pulse

Daphne stood in my doorway in my mother's gift, and I looked at the torn cuff.

I had been meaning to mend it for six years.

"Keep the robe," I said. "It doesn't fit me anymore."

She tilted her head and gave me the soft smile.

"Abby. I didn't know you were coming. We were only..."

"Your mother says hello."

The smile stayed on her mouth, but the rest of her face went still.

"What?"

"I was in Yonkers this afternoon. She made me eat a slice of pie."

Behind me, Domenico's glass tipped against the counter.

"She's well," I said. "She looks wonderful. She wanted me to tell you she's got a bridge game on Tuesday."

Daphne didn't move for a full breath.

Then she turned her head very slowly and looked at Domenico.

I saw it go between them, whatever it was.

It was not love.

It was fear, and each of them was afraid of the other.

"You told her," said Daphne.

"I didn't," said Domenico.

"You went to my mother's house."

"Daphne, not in front of..."

I walked to the front door and opened it.

Neither of them looked at me again.

By the time the elevator came, Daphne had begun to scream.

It was a thin, high sound, and it came down the corridor after me, and I let the doors close on it.

In the lobby, the night doorman held the door open with a nod.

Rory's truck was at the curb with its flashers on.

He leaned across and opened the passenger door before I reached it.

I got in.

I managed to close the door.

Keep reading free with an account. Start He Sacrificed My Father for His First Love from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.