Wendy

           Aroundnoon,afterDannyhadgoneintothebathroomtousethetoilet,Wendytookthetowel-wrappedknifefromunderherpillow,putitinthepocketofherbathrobe,andwentovertothebathroomdoor.

           "Danny?"

           "What?"

           "I’mgoingdowntomakeussomelunch.’Kay?"

           "Okay.Doyouwantmetocomedown?"

           "No,I’llbringitup.Howaboutacheeseomeletandsomesoup?"

           "Sure."

           Shehesitatedoutsidethecloseddooramomentlonger,"Danny,areyousureit’sokay?"

           "Yeah,"hesaid."Justbecareful."

           "Where’syourfather?Doyouknow?"

           Hisvoicecameback,curiouslyflat:"No.Butit’sokay."Shestifledanurgetokeepasking,tokeeppickingaroundtheedgesofthething.Thethingwasthere,theyknewwhatitwas,pickingatitwasonlygoingtofrightenDannymore…andherself.Jackhadlosthismind.TheyhadsattogetheronDanny’scotasthestormbegantopickupcloutandmeannessaroundeighto’clockthismorningandhadlistenedtohimdownstairs,bellowingandstumblingfromoneplacetoanother.Mostofithadseemedtocomefromtheballroom.Jacksingingtunelessbitsofsong,Jackholdinguponesideofanargument,Jackscreamingloudlyatonepoint,freezingbothoftheirfacesastheystaredintooneanother’seyes.