Chapter 4Denver Colorado
1960
Carol adjusted Rebecca on her hip, trying to hold the toddler in one hand while she stirred dinner with the other. Night had settled early over the city, and the steady ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall increased her anxiety until her eyelid twitched. Rebecca touched everything she could reach with sticky, groping fingers.
“Stop that,” Carol snapped when Rebecca managed to open the cupboard above her head.
“Cookie,” Rebecca said, pointing with a wide, crooked smile. Two white teeth stuck out from her gums, reminding Carol of a beaver.
“No, no cookies.”
“Cookie!” Rebecca repeated, her voice rising.
“Rebecca, no cookies. It’s dinner time. Look.” She pointed to the simmering pot of pasta. “Dinner.”
“No dinner. Cookie.”
Carol sighed, reaching f
