Atlas barked as he crowded next to her leg.

Not bothering to wait for a comment, Cady blustered on. “Do you know what I’m going to do? I’m going into the library, and I’m not coming out until I remember every detail of that day. If you hear me banging my head on the wall, don’t bother to check on me. I’ll be shaking my head loose. Men! I hate men! The only thing they’re good for is to make babies, and since I’m not in a baby-making mode, I give up on them. Do you hear me, I give up! On top of that, I didn’t even eat! You know what else? Let me tell you what else. Since they’re all lying, I’m going to lie myself. I’m going to call them all up and tell them one by one that I remember what happened that day. Then I’m going to stand back and watch the shit hit the fan! What do you think of that?”

Cady’s voice was so belligerent, Atlas growled.

Lola clapped her hands.

“Good girl!” Mandy chortled.

“You’re just like your grandmother,” Anthony said gleefully. “Don’t bang your head until I bring you something to eat.”

“I’m calling my mother, too! If I have to, I’m going to fly up there and straighten her out once and for all. I know my mother knows more than she ever told me. Every time I asked about the accident she said it didn’t pay to dredge up the past because you couldn’t do anything about it. I know she was just repeating what my father said. After a while, I gave up asking. In my opinion, neither my mother nor my father cared if I got my memory back. I always had the feeling they preferred I not get it back. I’m going to tell both my parents I’m willing to undergo hypnosis if it comes to that. I want to remember. I don’t care if they like it or not. If I decide to go back, I don’t want you to interfere.”

“Dear, we wouldn’t think of trying to stop you,” Lola assured her.

Cady shot her grandmother a dubious glance, then turned to Anthony. “When you bring me something to eat, bring me a triple shot of bourbon on the rocks with a beer chaser. I’ll see you all when I remember. If I don’t remember, I’m going to a hypnotist. Start looking for one just in case. Good night, everyone.”

“Water down that bourbon, Anthony,” Lola said when she heard the door to the library slam shut.

“My God, she’s just like you used to be, Lola,” Mandy said in awe.

“Isn’t she, though?” Pride rang in Lola’s voice. “Let’s hope she squelches the desire to visit her parents. No good can possibly come of that. However, we have to encourage her to do whatever she feels is necessary. For now.”

They looked at one another like the three wise old owls they pretended to be. “This probably calls for a drink of something,” Anthony said, heading for the bar area in the sunroom, Lola and Mandy trailing behind him.