Rachel sat on her couch, in the middle of her quiet house, and looked to her daughter. Paiges eyes were shifting uncomfortablysomething theyd been doing for the last day or so. Rachel could tell that Paige knew something was going on but was too afraid to ask. Paige Gift had always been the sort of kid that got easily embarrassed when others got into trouble. Even on television, shed avert her eyes and sometimes cover her ears when people or even cartoon characters got into arguments.

So when she could sense there was tension or something out of balance within her own home, her mood shifted dramatically.

Are you and Daddy upset with each other? Paige asked.

Rachel did her best to never lie to her daughter, but she did know when to soften a blow. In a way, she said. Its just been a hard few days.

Because of what you found in my room?

Rachel nodded, reaching out and taking Paiges hand, Thats part of it yes.

On several occasions, Paige had tried explaining to Rachel how she felt about what had happened. She was still a little confused over what took place in her room two days ago. All Paige knew for sure was that shed gone into her room and saw a dead squirrel on her floor. After that, given the reaction of both of her parents, shed spent the next day or so swearing that she hadnt done it. Shed even requested that they have a funeral for the poor squirrelwhich they had not been able to do because it had been taken as evidence.

Beyond that, Paige was more or less in the dark. Rachel, Peter, or any of the police or federal agents that had come through the house hadnt told her about the note that had been left with the squirrel. And really, it had been the note from Alex Lynchpresumably placed in Paiges room by an old friend or acquaintance of Lynchsthat had unnerved Rachel the most.

And later, when the police and FBI had left the house for the last time, Rachel and Peter had not told her about Rachels diagnosis. In a hurried conversation between police visits and a wailing, agitated Paige, theyd made the decision to keep it between them for a few daysat least until the shock of the squirrel and the note had worn off. Even then, as theyd discussed the tumor immediately after the trauma of the dead squirrel, Rachel had felt something different between them. Something had shifted and it was never going to be the same.

Mommy?

Yes, sweetie?

I know youre both upset and quiet…but can I watch a movie?

Sure.