“Kyle should feel like a pedophile.”
Mary Elizabeth walked back into the living room and dug around in the wrapping of the tote bag she’d arrived with.Hadley knew why when the plate of cookies emerged.“Oh, MeMe.Nan’s cookies?”
“I thought they’d be appropriate to welcome you home.”
Hadley closed her tear-scalded eyes and shook her head.“I wish she washere.”
“Me, too, sweetie.”
“She’d know what to do.”
“Well, in this case, I do, too.”
Hadley looked up.“You do?”
“Yes.We’re going to have some tea, eat some cookies, and when you’re ready, we’ll go tell your parents.”
“Yeah, no,” Hadley said, shaking her head.
“Hadley—”
“I can’t, MeMe.I’ll do it soon…just…I need more time.Besides, I have to do this on my own.There’s no reason for you to get caught in the crossfire.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.If Cheryl Dummit goes on the warpath, it should only be me wearing the bullseye.”
“Ah, honey, that’s where you’re wrong.It should be Kyle and the tramp who slept with a married man.”