Chapter 13

           JolenewasnotintheLexingtondirectory.BethTriedinformationinLouisvilleandFrankfort.NoJoleneDeWitt.Shecouldhavemarriedandchangedhername.ShecouldbeinChicagoortheKlondikeforthatmatter;BethhadnotseenorheardfromhersincethedaysheleftMethuen.Andtherewasonlyonethingtodoifshewastogothroughwiththis.HeradoptionpaperswereinadrawerinMrs.Wheatley’sdesk.ShegotthefolderoutandfoundaletterwiththeMethuennameandsloganatthetopofitinred.Thephonenumberwasthere.Sheheldthepapernervouslyforseveralmoments.Atthebottomitwassignedinasmall,neathand:HelenDeardorff,Superintendent.

           Itwasalmostnoon,andshehadnothadadrinkyet.ForamomentshethoughtofsteadyingherselfwithaGibson,butshecouldnothidethestupidityofthatideafromherself.AGibsonwouldbetheendofherresolve.Shemightbealcoholic,butshewasnotafool.ShewentupstairsandgotherbottleofMexicanLibriumandtooktwo.Waitingforthetensiontoease,shewalkedintotheyardwhichtheboyhadmowedthedaybefore.Thetearoseshadfinallybloomed.Thepetalshadfallenfrommostofthem,andattheendofsomeofthestemswerespherical,pregnant-lookinghipswheretheflowershadbeen.ShehadnevernoticedthemwhentheywerebloominginJuneandJuly.

           Backinthekitchen,shefeltsteadier.Thetranquilizerswereworking.Howmanybraincellsdidtheykillwitheachmilligram?Itcouldn’tbeasbadasliquor.ShewalkedintothelivingroomanddialedtheMethuenHome.

           TheoperatoratMethuenputheronhold.