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Amelia obeyed, but her wary look remained. She turned to me. “Anything happening with you? Feel anything strange?”
I wanted to ask her if she even cared because she had been avoiding me.
“She’s taking her medication,” Perdita reminded her.
I kicked Victor under the table in case he brought up the fact I’d found a fire even while on the medication.
Evelyn took a good look at me. “You seem exhausted, Margo.”
I had been feeling drained, but I was keeping myself so distracted with all of the drama going on that I’d managed to push through.
“That’s hardly your business,” Amelia muttered.
“If you have a problem with me, you should be straight out about it,” Evelyn said cheerily.
“She doesn’t,” Perdita said. “You haven’t done anything wrong, Evelyn.”
Frustrated and restless, I got up and walked around, still trying to make sense of what was happening to Emma.
I looked out the window and saw that same old woman again, pacing up and down outside the house.
“Perdita, there’s an old lady hanging around outside,” I said. “She’s always there. I think she might want to talk to you.”
“Oh, she’s probably waiting for Evelyn to leave to deliver food,” Perdita joked.
“That’s just Heddy,” Victor said. “She’s crazy.”
“She seems kind of distressed,” I said, feeling sorry for the old woman.
“Fine, I’ll see what she wants,” Perdita said, getting to her feet with a groan.
“Leave it,” Amelia said. “I’ll get rid of her.”
“Nah, she’s old. I’ll talk to her, let her see everything’s fine if that’s what she’s worried about.”
I watched Perdita go outside and approach the old woman. The lady clutched at her chest then fell to her knees.
“Uh-oh,” I said. “She’s kneeling.”
“That can’t be good,” Amelia said.
I ran outside first, but the others followed.
“Heddy, get up, please.” Perdita’s face was red. She turned at the sound of our approach. “Can somebody help her up?”
Victor lifted Heddy to her feet. The old woman was crying, unable to even speak, other than to say sorry. I had no idea what was going on.
“It was my grandson,” Heddy said. “He took you.”
Perdita froze. “Took me? Do you mean when I was kidnapped years ago? Why… I mean, why are you bringing it up now?”
“She’s only been here a few months,” Amelia said, her voice strained. “Jeremy sent some older women here, remember?”
“I remember, but…” Perdita shivered. “I’m not sure what to say.”
“I owe you,” Heddy said. “My family owes you. I thought you were safe, but even here, this pack hurts you. I’m so sorry.”
Perdita looked stunned. I shot Victor a questioning look, but he seemed as confused as I felt.
