Chapter 39

At that, my mother pats my hand. “You better go back to bed,” she says, picking up my empty cup and plate.

I look up at her. “What about you?”

She heads to the sink. “The sun’ll be up in a few hours. I’ve gotta finish this trifle for tomorrow’s Christmas dinner.”

“It can wait until morning.”

She waves at me, scooting me out of the room. “It is morning. Now scram. Go to bed. Get some shut-eye.”

I kiss her cheek. “I’m glad you’re here.”

She is on the edge of tears, her voice cracking. “We wouldn’t have missed it.”

I kiss her floury cheek. “Goodnight, Mom.”

“Night, sweetie. See you in a few hours.”

I walk out into the living room. Midway, I stop and gaze out through the Venetian blinds. A spark of fire from a cigarette lighter pierces the dark.

At a closer glance, I see my sister sitting alone on the porch swing.