“You don’t need to tell me. I lock my bedroom door. Tell me about you and Hatten. He still as full of himself as he was when we were kids?”

“I see you’re still jealous of him.”

“He was born rich, starred in high school sports, had girls hanging off him and boys competing to be his friend. Even when his leg was broken, little Kelly used to risk punishment just to take animals to him. Adam Hatten is a person without problems. So, yeah, I guess I am jealous. Enough about him! What did little Kelly grow up like? You said she’s getting married to some guy named Paul. Forey and Rafe only talk about Gabrielle, so tell me everything that’s going on in town.”

Vera was frowning over his description of Adam. Was he actually a person with no problems? Was that possible? “She’s pretty,” Vera said, and there was love in her voice. “Kelly is sweet and innocent and wasted on a guy like Pauly.” The last was said in anger.

“Go on,” Miguel said. “Tell me more.”

She did.

CHAPTER EIGHT

You are grown up, Kelly told herself. You’re an adult. There’s no shame in going to a dance alone.

She reminded herself that she’d probably know everyone there. She’d grown up with them, attending school, church, fairs, weddings, everything with the same people.

But never alone. If Pauly didn’t go with her, or Vera or her mom, there were girlfriends. They’d laugh together and make fun of the boys. But now everything had changed.

When Kelly walked in, she stopped by the door and looked around. The dance was being held in the high school auditorium. It had high ceilings and a big stage at the end. Local musicians, meaning anyone who wanted to sing or play an instrument, were on the stage. The far wall had tables of food, with half a dozen women watching over everyone.

Kelly thought, I don’t want to do this, and turned to leave. But her worst fear happened as Celeste Wigman saw her and came running.

“Kelly! I can’t believe you’re here. All by yourself. Alone. That must feel awful. Everyone in town feels so bad that you were left behind by your boyfriend. Just stay with me and I’ll see if I can find someone who will dance with you.”

Kelly closed her eyes and swallowed. She wanted to hit Celeste. But she’d found out in kindergarten that doing so got her into trouble. It also got her in trouble in the first, second and third grades. Every time a weeping Celeste said, “I forgive her,” all the adults smiled and Kelly wanted to hit her again.

Celeste grabbed Kelly’s arm and pulled her through the center of the dancers. “Make way!” Celeste said loudly. “I have a lone female in desperate need of companionship.”