Chapter 69:
"Uncle Hatch."
I sat on the edge of the bed with my hand on my daughter's blanket and my whole body went cold.
"Baby," I said. "Are you sure?"
Lily looked at me.
"Uncle Hatch," she said again. "He came to the back door. He said come with me, sweetheart. He said your mama sent me."
I put my hand over my mouth.
"He said your mama sent me," Lily said. "And then he gave me to the men."
"Lily—"
"He said don't tell. He said if I told, Papa K would be mad at me."
I pulled her into my arms.
"He's not going to be mad at you," I said. "Papa K is never going to be mad at you."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She put her head on my shoulder.
"Okay," she said.
And then she closed her eyes and she was asleep.
Just like that.
Like she'd been holding it in and now it was out and she co
