that you trusted each other so completely nothing
could break you apart?
"Thank you, Leigh. I knew you would
understand. I knew you were grown up. I told Tony.
He likes you very much, by the way. He talks about
you continually, about how sweet you are and how
much Troy likes you and what a wonderful time he
had with you when the three of you walked to the
beach.
"Oh, I just can't wait until we're all together at
Farthy. It's a dream life come true, Leigh. You'll see.
You'll be a princess, a true debutante yet." She got up. "I'm going to take a warm bubble bath because
I can relax now that I know my little girl is
understanding and loves me. Afterward, we'll sit and talk and you'll tell me all about Jamaica and the things
you did. Okay?" I nodded and remembered her gift. "I bought you something in the street market,
Momma."
"Really? How sweet for you to think of me
even after I had deserted you like that. You're such a
warm, wonderful child, Leigh. I'm very lucky to have
you."
"Let me get it," I cried and rushed back to my
room. "It's not very much," I told her when I returned,
"but I thought it was beautiful"
She unwrapped it quickly.
"I just love gifts, love surprises, no matter how
much they cost. Tony's like that, too. He wants to give
me something new and beautiful every day of our
lives together," she squealed. Because of my promises
I tried as hard s I could not to harden myself against
her newfound happiness. She looked down at the