Chapter 1

           Bethlearnedofhermother’sdeathfromawomanwithaclipboard.ThenextdayherpictureappearedintheHerald-Leader.Thephotograph,takenontheporchofthegrayhouseonMaplewoodDrive,showedBethinasimplecottonfrock.Eventhen,shewasclearlyplain.Alegendunderthepictureread:“Orphanedbyyesterday’spile-uponNewCircleRoad,ElizabethHarmonsurveysatroubledfuture.Elizabeth,eight,wasleftwithoutfamilybythecrash,whichkilledtwoandinjuredothers.Athomealoneatthetime,Elizabethlearnedoftheaccidentshortlybeforethephotowastaken.Shewillbewelllookedafter,authoritiessay.”

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           IntheMethuenHomeinMountSterling,Kentucky,Bethwasgivenatranquilizertwiceaday.Sowerealltheotherchildren,to“eventheirdispositions.”Beth’sdispositionwasallright,asfarasanyonecouldsee,butshewasgladtogetthelittlepill.Itloosenedsomethingdeepinherstomachandhelpedherdozeawaythetensehoursintheorphanage.

           Mr.Fergussengavethemthepillsinalittlepapercup.Alongwiththegreenonethatevenedthedisposition,therewereorangeandbrownonesforbuildingastrongbody.Thechildrenhadtolineuptogetthem.

           Thetallestgirlwastheblackone,Jolene.Shewastwelve.OnherseconddayBethstoodbehindherinVitaminLine,andJoleneturnedtolookdownather,scowling.“Youarealorphanorabastard?”

           Bethdidnotknowwhattosay.Shewasfrightened.Theywereatthebackoftheline,andshewassupposedtostandthereuntiltheygotuptothewindowwhereMr.Fergussenstood.