“I’m sorry. Nora’s unhappy with me. She wanted to stay tonight, but I’m having her go to Lisa’s.” Eloise knew Nora wasn’t happy with her spending time with the major, but she couldn’t tell him so. Eloise also understood how destructive Sam had been to Nora over the last year. If only she had the money to help Nora psychologically, but a professional was too far out of Eloise’s reach.

A short while later, Lisa arrived. “Sorry I’m late. There was an accident on Victory Drive. Where’s my girl?”

“She’s in her room. Mad at me!” Eloise admitted.

“I’ll cheer her up. Thought we might catch a movie. True Grit with John Wayne is playing. Think Nora would like to go to a show?”

“I would!” Nora strode into the living room with her overnight bag. “Let’s go. I’m ready.” She didn’t look at either her mother or the major.

“I’ll have her back tomorrow by noon. Is that okay?”

“Noon is fine. Thank you, Lisa.”

Eloise gave Nora a hug. “Be good now!”

Nora shrugged her shoulders.

Driving to the movie Lisa asked, “What’s going on with you and your mother? I know you’ve been having a rough time, especially since Sam’s vicious attack this past September and his arrest at Thanksgiving. Lisa glanced at Nora trying to find the right words. “Your mother is trying to do her best for you.”

“Maybe, but Mama doesn’t think I can take care of myself. Also, why is she seeing the major so much? Don’t you think it’s too soon after all the trouble with Sam?”

“Sam attacked you six months ago, and now it’s February—it’s been a while. Your mother has been through a lot. You both have. Remember, the baby would’ve been due about now?” Lisa touched Nora’s hand.

“How could I forget? It was only a week after Sam attacked me when Mama ended up in the hospital. She never told me what happened but, two weeks later, she lost the baby. Do you know what happened?”

“Your mama should be the one to tell you, but knowing Eloise, she won’t.”

“I just want to know. Please tell me.”

Lisa hesitated before she spoke . . . “Your mother had just gotten off her shift at the mill. She was walking to her car to go home. I had gotten there early for my shift. Sam’s truck was parked close to your mother’s car. At first, I thought he was trying to apologize to your mother to get back into her good graces. When I heard his garbled words, I knew he wasn’t.” Lisa stopped.

“Tell me more,” Nora pleaded. “I need to know!”

Lisa didn’t want to share anymore with Nora. She still couldn’t forget Sam’s drunken words to Eloise.