'What's she talking about, Vicki?'
'Can't make it out-mostly babbling. She looks happy enough, though.'
'Tough little kid,' I said, walking in.
Most kids are.... She's looking forward to seeing y~~~oo 'That so?'
'Yup. I mentioned your name and she smiled. Bout time, huh?'
'Sure is. Must have earned my stripes.'
'Got to, with the little ones.'
'How's she sleeping?'
'Good. Cindy's not sleeping so good, though. I keep hearing her get up and turn on the TV a bunch of times every night. Maybe the Valium withdrawal, huh? Though I don't notice any other symptoms.'
'Maybe that, or just plain anxiety.'
'Yeah. Last night she fell asleep in front of the TV and I woke her and sent her back to her room. But she'll be okay. Doesn't have much choice, does she?'
'Why's that?'
'Being a mother.'
The two of us began walking through the living room. White walls, beige carpet, brand-new furniture barely out of the rental warehouse.
The kitchen was to the left. Straight ahead were sliding glass doors that had been left wide open. The backyard was a strip of Astroturfed patio followed by real grass, pale in comparison. An orange tree heavy with ripening fruit served as a centerpiece. At the rear was a scallop-topped redwood fence backed by phone wires and the roofline of the neighboring garage.
Cassie sat on the grass, sucking her fingers while inspecting a pink plastic doll. Doll clothes were strewn on the grass. Cindy sat nearby, cross-legged.
Vicki said, 'Guess so.'
'What's that?'
'Guess you've earned your stripes.'
'Guess we both have.'
'Yeah... You know I wasn't too happy having to take that lie detector.'
'I can imagine.'
Answering all those questions-being thought of like that.' She shook her head. 'That was really hurtful.'
'The whole thing was hurtful,' I said. 'He set it up that way.'
'Yeah... I guess he knocked us all around-using my bunnies. They should have capital punishment for people like that. I'm gonna enjoy getting up on the stand and telling the world about him.
When do you think that'll happen-the trial?'
'Probably within a few months.'
'Probably... Okay, have fun. Talk to you later.'
Any time, Vicki.'
Any time what?'
