Thirty-Eight
WITH HER WORDS RINGING in my ears, I watch Helen open the door a little and let Chrystal in. She sticks her head out long enough to make sure there’s no one in the hall before closing the door.
Chrystal sets down the tray of drinks and sidles up to me. “Hey, sugar,” she purrs. “I hear it’s your birthday. So, what are you in the mood for?”
Before I can answer, Helen says firmly, “Answers.”
Chrystal starts at this. She begins moving toward the door but Helen stops her, saying, “Don’t worry, honey, you’re not in any trouble. Sonya sent us.”
At the sound of Sonya’s name, tears well up in Chrystal’s eyes and she collapses onto the bed.
“Oh, I’m so glad,” she says. “Is she okay? I’ve been so worried since she disappeared. They don’t let us watch the news or read the papers
