Upstairs in the bathroom, Eleanor emptied the joint end and ash down the toilet, flushed, and rinsed out the ashtray. The bedroom next to the bathroom was illuminated by the faint glow of a nightlight. Eleanor pushed open the door and stepped inside. Alicia was sleeping, her Barbie doll tucked under her arm. Eleanor crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. She watched her daughter sleep for a few minutes. Listened to her soft snores.

“My precious baby girl,” she whispered.

She brushed aside a chocolate-colored curl and leaned down and kissed Alicia on the cheek.

Back downstairs, Alice in Chains was playing on the stereo system. Eleanor returned the ashtray to the coffee table and rolled her eyes theatrically at Darla. “Job done. He’ll never know.”

“Oh, c’mon, Ellie. Robbie’s a good guy. You could do a lot worse.”

“I could do a lot better. He’s a total square. You know what happened the last time he found weed in the house. He didn’t speak to me for two days, and it’s not even his house.”

“He just wants what’s best for you and Alicia.”

“Yeah? Well, so do I, and we deserve better than the life we have here in this dump.”

Darla frowned. “Eagle Rock ain’t so bad.”

“It ain’t so great either. That’s why we’re getting the hell out of here. Just as soon as I get the cash together.”

Darla’s hand stilled, the wineglass paused halfway to her mouth. She stared at Eleanor. “Going where? For how long? Like a vacation?”

“I haven’t decided where we’re going yet,” Eleanor lied. “Or for how long.” She looked Darla in the eye and shrugged. “Maybe forever.”

Darla slammed the glass on the table, spilling wine over the side. “You mean you’re leaving town? For good? When did you make this decision?”

“Don’t be upset, sweetie,” Eleanor soothed. “We can always write each other. Speak on the phone. You can come visit anytime you like once we’re settled.” Darla’s eyes brimmed with tears, and Eleanor sighed. “You know we can’t stay here. The situation has changed. You know that.”

“You could try giving your relationship with Robbie a chance,” Darla said. “Let him move in here instead of renting that garage apartment. You know he’d jump at the chance to marry you and adopt Alicia. To make it all official.”

Eleanor could feel the anger well up inside her. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration. About looking to the future, a better future, for her and her daughter. Trust Darla to kill her buzz. She was as bad as Rob.