Beside me, Elva yawned. “I’m tired, Mommy.” I immediately crouched down beside her. I touched my hand to her forehead, but I didn’t feel a fever. Still, my nerves were frayed and I couldn’t help but worry. “Do you feel hot?” “No. Just sleepy.” She rubbed at one eye. I hated to leave early. We

As Terry pulled me out onto the dance floor, I at least felt the relief of knowing Elva wouldn’t overhear whatever terrible things Terry was sure to say to me. About me, or about my sister. This worked for me, because I wanted answers. Terry placed his hand on my waist. His other gripped my hand f

For too long, I watched Nicholas across the room, as he greeted a benefactor and then introduced Olivia. As it wasn’t Lilliana’s turn with the benefactor, she had been asked to stand back. She glared at Olivia behind Nicholas’s back. Nicholas turned on the charisma for the elderly benefactor. Oliv

Nicholas I helped Olivia as best I could with one of the benefactors, though in truth, she hadn’t need me to do much but give her the initial introduction. Olivia seemed like a natural at speaking with others – or at least, those she wanted something from. After introducing her, all I did was st

“It doesn’t seem like this exhaustion is directly related to her illness,” the doctor told me. We stood a few feet away from the bed where Elva rested, watching her. “She likely got so excited for tonight that she simply wore herself out.” “So she’ll be alright?” I asked. The doctor nodded. “She