Twelve
Noell handed Katty the cup, but her expression was puzzling. “I couldn’t remember if you drank coffee, so I got hot chocolate instead. Hope that’s okay.” Maybe she shouldn’t have—
“I … ” Katty’s chin quivered and her eyes brimmed. A ragged breath escaped her lips. “I love hot chocolate.” Another breath. “Thanks.”
What do you say to a mommy who has just seen her child shot down? Noell fiddled with her hair braid. Did Katty like being touched? Did she hate it? And what had she seen? Her daughter had been shot. Had she been bloody? Was she awake? Crying in pain?
What had Gamma seen when Noell’s own Mommy died? Mommy had drowned, so was she … bloated? Oh God. Had she closed her eyes? All Noell could see in her nightmare was Mommy’s eyes wide open in terror. Had they ever closed in p
