Chapter 19
The Oak Room felt cold and cavernous to Jennalee, which surprised her, considering her morning joy there with Chopin. Kendall opened the closet door. “Daniel? It’s Kendall again and I’d like to talk about things. Harley and Lee are with me, you know them, right? No parents. I haven’t told anybody I found you, except these guys. You know you can’t stay in there forever. Please come out.”
“Let us help,” Harley added.
After a minute out came Daniel, red faced and disheveled. He wore a white T-shirt over blue bathing trunks and was barefoot. His mouth was clamped shut and he looked as wary as a cat ready to claw.
“Let’s sit down, okay?” Kendall pulled chairs into a little circle, then sat, as did Harley and Jennalee. Finally Daniel stood behind the vacant chair.
“Come on, Danie
