Page 26 of One of Six

I want everyone to see it. I only wish I'd had the courage to broadcast it before I got into Richard's car last night. They won't miss it today. Finished, I go into the bedroom.

Evelyn smiles. "You look better."

"Was everything okay after I left last night? I mean with you and Mr. Gleeson at the marina."

Evelyn takes my hands and squeezes them. "No one saw me. Mr. Gleeson was wonderful. No need to worry."

I nod.

"Be brave, Beatrice," Evelyn whispers. "Just play along and everything will be fine."

My eyes shoot up to meet hers. "You know?" I ask, my voice thick with tears.

"I can guess. You must put on an act. You have to eat something, too." She holds my hand until we reach the entrance to the dining room. With a squeeze, she lets go and I step inside.

I ignore Richard, who is sitting at his usual place at the head of the table. My eyes slide in his direction as soon as I'm seated. His are bloodshot, while mine are from my loss; his from the alcohol he consumed last night. There are also bruises on his face.

It looks like he and David have done a number on each other.

"I have to make funeral arrangements after breakfast. Can I count on you not to talk about last night?"

I narrow my eyes. "Yourfather told me what would happen if I speak about it, so yes,Richard, I will keep my mouth shut."

His mouth hangs open before he snaps it shut. Anger clenches his fists into a tight ball.

I take a deep breath and add, "If you or Judge lay a hand on me again, I will shout the truth from the rooftops. I will call the FBI. I mean it,Richard!”

At the last word, Evelyn appears with breakfast. She pauses when she hears me call Dad by his first name. It’s all she will hear from now on. It's all he’ll hear too.

Richard absorbs anger in every movement. He is angry. He doesn't know if I'm serious or not. I am. He went too far this time. I won't let him get away with what he's done. I need time to figure out what to do.

Richard couldn't waitto get rid of me after breakfast, so he dropped me off at a friend's house. It's nice and peaceful lying on the chaise lounge chair by the pool. The area is shaded, and a gentle breeze blows through the garden.

If I get along with anyone, it’s Violet. We've known each other for about ten years, ever since her family moved to town. Her father works for mine, but things have never been awkward.

The only thing I have always done with Violet is keep certain things close to my chest. I honestly don't trust her not to repeat what she hears to her dad, who would then tell mine.

It's early: 08:30. I didn't want to be in the house, so I jumped at the offer of a ride here. Violet knows that my mother died overnight. That's all. I mean, there's nothing I can say to her that won't go unpunished.

"Dad heard you fell in the water at the club. Is that true?" Violet asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

I give my dark-haired friend a small smile, relieved to be able to focus on something else. "Yes, I did. Jason hit me because I wouldn't suck him off. I fell in."

She chokes on her spit, her eyes wide with surprise. "Is he big?" Her eyebrows wiggle and she bursts out laughing.

I roll my eyes. "Like I said, I declined. I have no interest in him."

"Just going on a date would be nice." She blows out a breath. "I'm not allowed to date until I'm eighteen. Then I'm sure he'll be chosen for me. My parents have high standards, and it sucks half the time."

"Same here. Be careful, Violet. My parents," I stumble over the word, "set me up with Jason because they wanted me to marry him."

She winces. "That sucks!" Her eyes meet mine and we both laugh.

Guilt cuts into me. I shouldn't laugh when my mother is dead. But the laughter is a welcome relief from the weight of my loss. It's nice to have someone here who's as sheltered as I was. At seventeen, Violet is curious about the world and eager to explore, just like me.

The sudden sound of a machine starting up startles me. I turn to Violet. "I thought we were alone."

Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “A couple of guys from Redd WoodArt are here. They're building a sideboard in the dining room."

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