But he made himself, not wanting to hear the voice tear him down anymore. The knife pressed against his thigh and the shape of the little screwdriver weighed down his front pocket. He started into the yard and walked with his head down along the fence. The voice appeared again, this time giving a very rare positive comment, and that was all he needed.

There you go, baby. There you go…

He was practically sprinting when he came to the back porch stairs, slowly taking the screwdriver out of his pocket.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Rachel dozed off, but only for a few moments. The difference in the volume on the TV between the program that was on and the ear-shattering noise of a commercial for a local business jarred her out of her thin bit of slumber. Embarrassed that shed fallen asleep at all, she first looked towards the blinds to make sure it wasnt pitch black outside. When she saw only the muted purple colors of the sun, she relaxed a bit as she sat up.

As the remnants of the doze wore off, she checked her watch. It was nearing 6:30, which meant Paige would be back home from soccer practice. She doubted Peter was home yet, meaning the sitter would likely be preparing something simple for dinner. She thought of calling Peter again, just to touch base with him on any talks hed had with her about Grandma Tate or the dead-squirrel situation but decided it might be a bad idea. She didnt want to be depressed or angry when she spoke with Paige; so she called Paige first, knowing soccer practice ended half an hour ago, and wondered just how much Peter had already told the babysitter.

As was usually the case, the sitter allowed Paige to answer the phone whenever Rachel called. When she answered, she was holding a juice box in one handapple-cranberry flavored because that was Paiges new fixation.

Hey, Mommy!

Hey, Paige. How was school?

It was okay. We learned about the Egyptians and the pyramids today. And I told Mrs. McCoy that Daddy one time watched a show about how some people think the pyramids were made by aliens.

Oh, Paige…you didnt.

Its okay. Mrs. McCoy thought it was funny.

Have you already done all of your homework?

All of it. Were about to eat dinner.

And how about soccer practice? Did that go okay?

Oh yeah, it was good. I scored two goals. Coach Byron thinks Ill be able to start on Saturday!

Hey, thats so awesome! Good job. Listen, Paige…has your Daddy called this evening?

He texted. Hes going to be a little late, but in time to put me into bed. She paused here, sipped from her juice box, and said, So I guess you wont be home tonight?