Thirty-Five
"Mommy, I want to go home. I don't like that man. He can't have ice cream with us. Mommy, I want to go home."
Bea tried to explain things to Mommy while she used the bathroom. She finished and pulled up her panties and smoothed her dress down. "Mommy, I don't want to stay. I don't want to see him any more." Why wouldn't Mommy listen?
"Settle down, Bea. What is so awful about him?" Mommy held Bea up to the sink to wash her hands then used the toilet herself. "He's a nice man. He bought us ice cream. Or rather, he bought me some. I've never seen you not eat ice cream before. I know you're shy sometimes but not deathly afraid of anyone."
She washed her hands, checking her reflection in the mirror above the sink, tilting her head from side to side. Then closer in, her eye make-
