Cady didn’t stop to think about what time it was when she dialed her parents’ phone number. “Mom, it’s Cady. I need you to answer a few questions for me. What did I say to you that day on the porch? It doesn’t say in the paper. I said something that upset you because you went back into the house. What did I say?”

“For heaven’s sake, child, that was twenty years ago. Do you really expect me to remember what you said? I can barely remember things that happened yesterday.”

“Yes, Mom, I do. What did I say? I think I’m starting to remember. I remember taking my bike out of the bushes where I hid it so the movers wouldn’t pack it till last. I didn’t remember that before.”

Her mother’s voice sounded so bitter and angry, Cady held the phone away from her ear. “Why are you doing this? You can’t change anything. Lola put you up to this, didn’t she? Why can’t you just let well enough alone? No good can possibly come of this. You’d be better off if you’d get on your knees and pray.”

Something snapped in Cady. Her back stiffened, and her eyes narrowed. “Is Dad standing next to you? Did he tell you to say that? Pray? You want me to pray?” She hissed. “I prayed every day, hour after hour, for three long years. I spouted that bullshit you and Dad used to preach to me until I learned the real way to pray. Oh, my God, I remember the word now. Sanctimonious. I said you were sanctimonious. I said that because…because…Well, right now, I can’t remember why I said it, but I will. I told you my memory was coming back. You’re hiding something from me. I’m asking you now to tell me what it is. I’m going to remember, Mom. If I have to, I’ll get hypnotized.”

Cady yanked the phone away from her ear when she heard the dial tone buzzing in her ear. Overcome with emotion, she curled into the corner of the chair as she hugged her knees.

Mandy scurried away from the doorway and up the back steps to Lola’s room. Winded from the long climb, she could barely get the words out. Lola jerked upright. “I knew it! I knew if she went to the grove, it would trigger something. I think we’re on a roll, Mandy. Is she all right? Why didn’t you take the elevator? You’re too old to climb three flights of stairs.”

“I forgot. I was in a hurry to get up here. I don’t know if she’s all right or not. She is pissed off, though. Her mother hung up on her. What kind of mother is that?”

“You know what kind, Mandy. Let’s not go there. Not right now anyway. I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?”

“No!”

“Yes, you do. I think you and I need to go to the Judas Grove.”

Mandy looked properly horrified. “Oh, no! No! No! No! Do I have to remind you how old we are? You’re eighty-two, Lola! I’m seventy-eight! Anthony is seventy-nine! No!”