Holly shook her head. “They don’t ever go to choir practice. They sneak out and go to the river with their boyfriends, who work on a ranch in Sitterdale.”

“You mean Sisterdale?” Lily asked.

“Maybe.” Holly nodded. “They were so mad at me that they started talking to each other in Spanish, and I couldn’t understand it. They aren’t druggies, Mama. They like vodka instead. They said their mama can’t smell that on their breath when they get home.”

“Who else goes with them?” Lily asked. “Someone has to drive them or come get them.”

“A bunch of kids from the school go there on Wednesday and Friday nights. Someone picks Rose and Ivy up around the corner from the church and brings them back two hours later. I’m not ready to have sex, Mama,” Holly sobbed. “And I didn’t even know about the parties until this week. I promise I haven’t been to one.”

“I’m glad you’ve made that decision.” Lily hugged her again. “Maybe Faith and you have more in common than you and the twins.”

Holly nodded. “Does that make me a freak?”

“No, it makes you smart,” Lily reassured her. “It tells me that you’re growing up and won’t let your friends decide what you should and shouldn’t do. I’m proud of you for telling them no.”

“For real? You’re not still mad at me for the joint?” Holly asked.

“Yes, I’m proud of you, but I’m still a little mad at you, too. I wish you’d had the nerve to stand up to whoever gave you that marijuana like you did with Rose and Ivy,” Lily told her.

“I’m not going to choir practice anymore,” she said. “I’m going to stay home and talk to Faith on the phone. She don’t go to choir practice because she says she can’t carry a tune in a milk bucket.”

“That’s your choice,” Lily said. “Are you ready to come downstairs and have a snack?”

“Are Braden and Mack out of the house?” Holly asked. “My face is a mess, and I don’t want my brother smarting off about it.”

“Hey, Mama,” Braden yelled from the bottom of the stairs, “is it all right if I go to the store with Mack? We need to get a load of goat feed.”

“Of course, and tell Mack to pick up a gallon of milk on the way home,” Lily answered and turned back to face Holly. “Give them a minute, and then we’ll go on down.”

“You won’t tell Rose and Ivy’s mother, promise?” Holly’s eyes widened.

“You’ve got my word, and thanks for telling me what happened,” Lily said.