Finally, we were told to put everything aside to go to breakfast. No one even attempted to speak to anyone else. Mindy was sullen and Gia avoided her bee-stinging eyes. Robin. Teal. and I said nothing to each other or either of them. The air about us felt as if it were laced with TNT. Someone rubbing her hands together too vigorously could set off an explosion.
We washed up and entered the house. At the table everyone mumbled the forced thank-yous to everyone else, then we ate like five mutes. Silverware clanked against bowls and dishes. I could hear everyone chewing, swallowing, drinking, each of us keeping her eyes forward, looking into her own dark and troubled thoughts.
"Good morning, girls," Dr. Foreman cried from the dining room doorway. She practically sang it "What a glorious day and I see you've all gotten off to a productive start. How wonderful. This afternoon, around noon. I want you all showered, cleaned up, and brought back here for some refreshment, after which we will hold one of my famous group sessions. Mindy and Gia are well acquainted with them, aren't you, girls?"
"Yes, Doctor." Gia said quickly. Mindy nodded. Both of them looked so frightened, it frightened me,
"Good. Well eat up, girls, waste not, want not." Then Dr. Foreman was gone as quickly as she had appeared.
Mindy and Gia looked after her and then looked at each other, the air between them still heavy and flammable. Gia began to eat again.
"Why is she making us part of their group session. Gia?"
"How would I know?"
"We're not going to get through this," Mindy muttered, "We're never going home."
"Shut up," Gia told her. "She's going to stop us."
"Quiet, Mindy."
"She doesn't want anyone to be free. Not since Posy. You know I'm right. Gia. You've said it yourself many times."
"Stop it!" Gia snapped.
M'Lady One appeared in the doorway. Both girls quickly returned to eating.
My buddy glared at them for a long moment. "Something wrong?" she asked, her eyes small with suspicion. "Someone planning something nasty?"
No one responded. "All right, let's get moving. girls. You have a lot to accomplish by noon. Robin and Teal, you clear the dishes and wash down the table. The rest of you, start back to the barn and your work."
Gia gulped the rest of her juice and stuffed another piece of bread into her mouth as she stood up. I followed her and Mindy out to put on our shoes and start for the barn. When M'Lady One was far enough away, I stepped up beside Mindy and whispered. "Who was Posy?"
She looked at me as if she was going to reply but then glanced at Gia and walked faster, pulling away from me and closer to M'Lady One, Gia dropped back.
"Stop asking questions or you will be sorrier than you could ever think possible, and it might not be only because of what they do to you,," she threatened sharply.
We returned to work. From time to time. I saw Natani pause in his own work and look our way. I thought I saw him smile at me, but it was hard to tell as the sun rose higher in the sky and made even the dirt gleam. At noon we were told to stop, clean up in the shower, and return to the house. We had just about completed the east wall of the barn. Everyone had spots of paint on her face, hands, and arms, as well as in her hair. Teal was the most depressed about it.
"I used to go to a beauty parlor once a week." she said, running her fingers through her stubs.
"Lucky you," Cria said.
"At least I had a reason to go."
"Keep your mouths shut." M'Lady Two called. "Just walk to the showers."
We were given soap, brushes, and towels and made to scrub until every spot of paint was off our bodies. Then we dressed and started for the house.
At the house we were treated to wonderful icecold lemonade. No one was ashamed to show how much she enjoyed it and coveted every drop. After the cold shower and this refreshment. I did feel better,
"Is it going to get easier?" I asked Mindy.
She tilted her head. "What?" She batted her eyelashes. "What was your question?"
"Are things going to get better now?" It seemed like a fair question to ask. We had all been through fire, punished, beaten down to where we were all obedient.
"Better?" She smiled. "Things are only going to get worse." she predicted with a smile that was so cold. I thought her teeth had turned to stone.