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But the stars were bright now, and when I looked up and studied them, I saw my angel. That sight, more than Cassie, buoyed my hopes for tomorrow.
I returned to the house, intending to go up to my room to watch some television, but when I entered and started toward the stairway, Lucille called to me.
“Is that you, Semantha?”
I went to the living-room doorway. She was sitting in the living room in Daddy’s favorite chair.
“I went looking for you after your father left. Where were you?”
“Just taking a walk,” I said.
“Now, listen to me, Semantha,” she began. “Come in here,” she ordered. “Sit.”
“What do you want?” I asked, but walked in and sat across from her.
“I don’t like it that you spend so much time alone. It’s not natural for a girl your age with all of your attributes to be so withdrawn. And don’t tell me about your therapy and all the rest. I have eyes and ears and can see and hear you. There’s nothing wrong with you. You can be happy, too.
“Now, I know you were a little upset at dinner, but you must believe me when I say I’m looking out for all of us now, including your uncle Perry. Don’t you think he would be proud of his brother if his brother was elected governor? Don’t you think his life would improve and he would benefit, too? Well?”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“Good. So don’t sulk about this little change in the wedding plans. He’ll be fine with it.”
“I’m not sulking,” I said.
“You’re not exactly a secret wrapped in a riddle, Semantha. You wear your heart on your sleeve, so to speak. I haven’t lived with you very long, but I can see and feel your emotions almost as well as your father can. When he left, he was upset that you were upset.”
“He was?”
“Yes. He asked me to talk to you a little more about it. He’s very sensitive to your feelings and what bothers him bothers me. Don’t you want him to be happy?”
“Yes, of course.”
“So make an effort to see things our way. Don’t make any petty displeasures so obvious. When you show your hand, you lose the game. My mother gave me that advice, and I never forgot it. Will you try?”
“Yes,” I said quickly. At this point, I just wanted to get away from her.
“Don’t tell me things I want to hear just to get rid of me, Semantha. I want to do what’s right for everyone, including you. I want you to be happy, too, very happy. I’m determined to help you have a full and productive life. It will please your father, and he’ll be happier as a result. Now, it’s not good that you have no friends your own age and you are not doing things girls your age should be doing.”
“I went to a private high school for three years. I’ve lost contact with anyone I knew here.”
“Well, maybe we can fix that.”
“How?”
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“Give me time to think about it. I’ll come up with something. You’ll see. Just give me a chance to be all I can be for you. Give me a little trust, okay?”
I started to nod, but it was as if Cassie had her hand under my chin and wouldn’t let me dip my head. Lucille looked displeased at my silence.
“Okay,” I finally managed.
“Good,” she said. “You can go up to your room if you like.”
“Dismissed,” Cassie whispered.
I rose and walked out slowly. My head felt as if it had turned into a hive filled with angry bees. Thoughts, feelings, memories spun around, twisting and turning everything into tight knots. I felt like screaming to rid my ears of all the voices I was hearing.
