Chapter 16: Cry When the Bread Comes

Lucy's POV

On Sunday night my stepfather had the dining room set exactly as it had been a week before.

Same long table, same soup spoons, same chairs.

The only thing missing was the bread basket.

"It's in the kitchen," my stepfather said, when Melody looked around for it. "It will come when we are finished."

Melody sat at her place with her hands in her lap and her hair brushed, wearing a gray cardigan instead of a pastel one.

She had been told she could pick her own clothes, and I suppose that was her idea of humility.

My mother sat across from me, not looking at anyone.

Reed sat beside me, and under the tablecloth his knee rested against mine, on purpose, with no rule attached.

"Item one," my stepfather said.

He had a printed agenda.

I knew where he'd gotten the font.

"The original of Lucy's file is in my desk," my stepfather said. "Melody, where is the copy?"

"I gave it to you," Melody said. "In the envelope."

"And the pictures you took of it on your phone?"

Melody's mouth closed.

"I was upset," she said.

"Melody."

"I was!" Her eyes filled, quickly and prettily. "I've been so scared that Lucy is going to take..."

"The bread has not come," my stepfather said.

Melody stopped.

"I'm sorry?"

"The bread basket is in the kitchen. You may cry when it arrives."

I put my napkin to my mouth, and it did not help.

Reed's knee shook against mine, just once, and I knew he was laughing too.

Keep reading free with an account. Start My Stepbrother Silenced Me for 72 Hours, Then Begged Me to Talk from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.