She buttoned the top one, then unbuttoned it right away, her hands shaking hard.

“I’m just trying to protect my child from a crazy woman.”

I took a step toward them and asked what the letters in the closet meant.

“Stay away from us,” Rebecca yelled.

She pushed Lily roughly toward the idling car, leaving the blue bicycle leaning against the trash can.

“If you come near her again, I’ll have you locked up.”

The car door slammed, and the tires spun wet mud into the air as they sped back onto the paved road.