face was white with shock and agony. He just shook
his head and continued down the stairs. He knew, of
course. that we had heard the whole argument
between him and Betsy.
Betsy's door was shut tight. I took Baby Celeste
into the bathroom and helped her wash up and fix her
hair. She loved to brush her own hair now and was
very aware of how she looked, her clothes and shoes. Betsy did not come down for dinner. Dave ate
sparingly. Mama continually urged him to eat and not
get himself sick over the situation.
"We'll do what we have to do, Dave," she said,
putting her hand over his.
He nodded. "I'm sorry. Sarah. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I wasn't supposed to be
bringing you new and bigger problems."
"For better or for worse," Mama recited. "In
sickness and in health."
He smiled and looked a bit cheered. She threw
me a glance that made me shudder a little. It was more
like a conspiratorial glance. What did she think I
knew or understood? I really felt sorry for Dave. and I
was beginning to feel that I was part of some great
betrayal. Even though I had no sympathy or love. for
Betsy, I hated seeing him so distraught and defeated. After we ate, Mama prepared a dish and told
me to take it upstairs to see if Betsy would eat. You don't have to do that. Sarah," Dave said.
"She's old enough to know to come down if she wants
something to eat. 'We're not going to cater to her
anymore, not now."
"We won't," Mama assured him, "but we can't
let her neglect her health. Dave, especially now, now
can we?"