on the cheek。
Then she was gone。
I took a deep breath。 Alice would be back。 I suddenly felt so much better。
I had plenty to do to keep myself busy while I waited。 A shower was definitely
first on the agenda。 I
sniffed my shoulders as I undressed； but I couldn't smell anything but the
brine and seaweed scent of the
ocean。 I wondered what Alice had meant about me smelling bad。
When I was cleaned up； I went back to the kitchen。 I couldn't see any signs
that Charlie 'lad eaten
recently； and he would probably be hungry when he got back。 I hummed
tunelessly to myself as I moved
around the kitchen。
While Thursday's casserole rotated in the microwave； I made up the couch with
sheets and an old pillow。
Alice wouldn't need it； but Charlie would need to see it。 I was careful not to
watch the clock。 There was
no reason to start myself panicking； Alice had promised。
I hurried through my dinner； not tasting it—just feeling the ache as it slid
down my raw throat。 Mostly I
was thirsty； I must have drunk a half gallon of water by the time I was
finished。 All the salt in my system
had dehydrated me。
I went to go try to watch TV while I waited。
Alice was already there； sitting on her improvised bed。 Her eyes were a liquid
butterscotch。 She smiled
and patted the pillow。 〃Thanks。〃
〃You're early；〃 I said； elated。
I sat down next to her and leaned my head on her shoulder。 She put her cold
arms around me and
sighed。
〃Bella。 What are we going to do with you？〃
〃I don't know；〃 I admitted。 〃I really have been trying my hardest。〃
〃I believe you。〃
It was silent。