Chapter 4Jake was trying to explain to his niece that the letters “O” and “W” together could have two different sounds when the screen door clicked open and Alice swore and stomped her way into the house, bringing the stench of cigarette smoke with her. She always smoked in the pickup when she drove.
“Mommy! Mommy!” Molly sprang to her little feet and ran to greet her mother, wrapping her arms around Alice’s hips.
“You would not believe how terrible my day was,” Alice said, automatically returning the hug to whatever part of Molly she could reach. “It’s so good to see you, honey-bunny! Did you have a good day?”
“Uh-huh.” Molly pushed back from her mother and nodded enthusiastically. “Sanjay is my new boyfriend!”
“You’re too young to have a boyfriend.” Alice hung her purse over the bani
