His chest burned at the suggestion. He'd love to spend afternoons with the boys and put the train together, careful to keep his eye on little Denny who had a habit of munching on every little foreign object he found. He could see them dressed in overalls and conductors caps. Hear their laughter when he flipped the switch and let it run.

"I'll take it."

"I'll have to order it. It may take a week to get here."

"That's fine. I'm sending it to New York."

"New York, ya say?"

"Yeah, I'm sure they'll have someone to help them a.s.semble it. It's for a friend. She has two little boys. Every little boy deserves a train."

"Amen," Millie smiled. "It's the little things, right?"

"Right." He reached in his back pocket for his wallet. Millie's smile covered her face. "This friend of yours, she special too?"

"Yeah, she has no idea how much."

"Kim? Hi, they called and said you were being kicked out of the program? You only had a few days left. What happened? Hey? Are you okay?"

Kim wiped the tears from her cheeks. Behind her the door closed softly with a gentle click. She ran the zipper down her suitcase then released the deepest of sighs.

"Kim?"

When she turned she saw Simone. Her sister stood there in designer jeans that hugged her slender hips, and a white shirt tastefully unb.u.t.toned to show the solitaire diamond that matched the pair in her ears. Her pixie cut had long bangs in her eyes. It was still so very cute, softening her features and shaving off ten years. She looked to be in her mid twenties easily, changed, vibrant. Now it made sense. It made Kim even more fiercely protective of her. After seeing Keith, witnessing his cruelty, she wondered for hours as she waited for Simone, how her sister managed to stay in love and married to a man like Keith Livingston. If the b.a.s.t.a.r.d did anything to hurt Simone again, Kim was certain of homicide.

"Girl, talk to me. Why are you looking at me like that?" Simone's smile began to dim. It weakened Kim enough to cry. She wouldn't cry. She was too mad to cry. There was no room in her life for tears. Not anymore.

"Kim?" Simone said.

Kim walked over. She threw her arms around her and pulled her as close and hard as she could. Simone hugged her back. It had been a long time since they embraced like this. To Kim's recollection, the last time they stood together and hugged each other in silence was the day they pulled the plug on Dennis. She drew on her strength and faith in herself, her sister and mother. She drew on her promise to her sons and her dead husband. She couldn't delay it another moment. Releasing Simone, she touched her face and stared hard at her. Whatever Keith had done, he hadn't changed her wonderful sister.

"Are you okay, Simone?" Kim asked.

"You're scaring me." Simone gave a nervous chuckle.

"I saw Keith." Kim released her. "He came here. He told me about the divorce. He told me everything."

"That b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Simone said.

"It's okay."

"Kimmy, I'm so sorry. I had no idea he would do these things to us." Simone's eyes welled with tears.

"It's okay."

"We'll figure out how to keep the house. I have an attorney. I swear you won't lose Dennis's house."

"Hey, look at me." Kim grabbed Simone by the arms. "Listen to me. We're okay. I'm coming home and we're going to figure it out. Together. I just need you to know that we're going to be okay?"

Simone smiled. "You don't have to tell me. I'm so proud of you. We're Diane Wilson's daughters. Cut from tough stuff, right?"

Kim sniffed. The tears were definitely gone. But every other emotion was there, simmering below, close to the surface. "I'm checking out."

"Okay. We'll talk on the way home. I'll tell you everything." Simone went for her luggage.

"We'll fight him, Simone."

"Together?" Simone asked.

"d.a.m.n right. That b.a.s.t.a.r.d won't know what's. .h.i.t him."

Chapter Thirty-Two.

Daddy's Girls Simone and Kim "A m.u.t.h.af.u.c.ka gone try you if you let him. The best way to beat pencil d.i.c.k is to fight dirty like he is. It ain't goin down like this. No f.u.c.king way. He gone pay with his a.s.s for ever puttin' a hand on you! You hear?"

Simone gave her mother a tight-lipped look before her eyes dropped away. Diane's anger was the last thing they needed to deal with, but inevitable. Her mother glared on with nostrils flared. Diane opened her mouth to spray more curse words and threats but silenced from a look shot to her by her oldest daughter.

Kim never spoke. It was in her eyes, pain, regret, shame and guilt. Hooded with worry, her eyes returned to the center of the table. There lay the mortgage contract and the truth signed and dated by Kim's own hand. In willful ignorance, she handed over her husband's dream, his legacy for his sons. What could she say to the truth, when the fine print was plain and clear?

"I should have known what Keith was capable of. I was married to the man. How could I have not known?" She looked from the contract to her mother. "I would have stopped him. I guess I should have told you both what was going on. I swear I was blind to it until I had no choice but to see him for the b.a.s.t.a.r.d he is." With weepy eyes, she looked over to her sister. "I'm sorry, Kim. I'm so sorry."

One of the boys cried out from his bed, screams for his mommy. On the way home from the rehab center Simone shared the entire story with Kim, to which her sister said little. When reunited with her sons, Simone watched as Kim bathed, fed, and put them to bed, all the while putting off Diane and her litany of questions. Finally, she came clean to her mother, totally clean. And when Kim was back with the contract, she confessed the biggest secret. She told them every detail of Keith's violent actions that forced her to flee Castle Rock. Nothing stunned the Wilson women more than that confession.

Kim pushed up from the table to comfort her child. Diane eyed Simone. When her mother looked at her that way, she couldn't help but meet her gaze. "What is it, Ma? Say it."

"He raped you, Kitt. You told me nothin! Why?"

"Oh, Ma, please."

"No. I'm here thinking, oh to h.e.l.l with what I was thinking. You told me that he was angry, nasty, a cheater, a jerk but not a rapist. He raped you and you never said anything."

"The rape isn't important."

"Isn't important?" Diane hissed. "Is that what you think? That m.u.t.h.af.u.c.ka..."

"Stop it!" Kim shouted. Having returned with a sleeping Danny in her arms. "That's enough, Mama." Kim's voice softened. "Kitt was his victim once but not anymore. How she dealt with it, and the things in her marriage you don't understand aren't up for debate. Okay?"

Diane pushed back from the table. "I'll put him back to bed," she mumbled, taking Danny from Kim's arms and leaving the room. Simone dropped her head in shame. The tears she held for most of the day flowed. Kim's hands were on her shoulder. She rubbed her back, stroked the back of her head. "It's okay."

"Ma's right. I gave him so much power, Kim. Let him control me in every way. The way I dressed, looked, spoke. h.e.l.l, even the way we made love. Even now I can't bring myself to see the truth in what he is. I keep thinking this is some nightmare I will wake up from." Simone wiped at her tears and shook her head. "Now you and the boys are in this mess. Your house is in this mess."

"It's just a house." Kim stopped her. "Besides, my name is on that contract. He can't force me out of it, and he sure as h.e.l.l won't be forcing his way in my front door." Kim cupped Simone's chin. She lifted her face to look down into her eyes. "Mama's upset because she couldn't be there to protect you. So am I. You have a beautiful spirit. That b.a.s.t.a.r.d knew it when he married you and did everything to control it. But he can't touch you. He can't touch any of us. Not really. We'll show him that."

"His name is on the contract as a primary. How do we change that?"

"That's my fault." Kim sighed. "I approached him for the loan. That's on me. Me and Dennis. With two incomes, we were in debt up to our eyeb.a.l.l.s for this place." She looked around and remembered the fights with Dennis that the place cost too much. He defended his choice, and preached that he'd make station captain soon. "Dennis died. The state froze his pension. I just couldn't swing it, Kitt." Kim smiled down at her. "To be honest, I was so high on my own grief and Oxycodone that I never even blinked when Keith and Madison made me sign it away. Maybe part of me knew, deep down inside and just didn't care. That's my fault, not yours."

"It's Keith's fault! All of it!" Simone slammed her hand to the table. "He's not going to get away with it. Mama's right. He can't get away with it."

The kitchen phone rang.

Simone's head whipped around on her shoulders. Her heart pumped hard and fast in her chest. Kim rose. "I'll get it."

"No, let it ring." Simone grabbed her wrist.

Kim ignored her. She watched with held breath as her sister took the call and could barely hear what was being said.

"Who is it, Kitt?" Diane asked, now at her side with her fist clenched.

"Don't know, Mama."

Kim hung up. She turned and shook her head. "That was Madison," Kim said. "He wants to meet with us both in the morning."

"No! It's a trap!" Diane snapped.

"Keith is just using his family pitbull now. It's definitely a trap," Simone agreed.

"Yeah, well he does have my husband's case in his hands and this place, so for now he has the cards."

"For now? f.u.c.k that! Call him back and tell him to kiss our a.s.s!" Diane shouted.

"No, I'll meet with him. Kitt, you and Mama will stay back."

"No." Simone shook her head hard. "I'm going to too."

"But?" Kim started.

"I'm going too. We stand together, all of us, and besides, I have the restraining order. So Keith makes an appearance and it will be perfect. I'm itching for a confrontation after that s.h.i.t he pulled at the clinic. Sue said that they would do this. Try to silence me, pull out all the stops. If Madison wants to meet, then he wants to negotiate."

"That's true." Kim looked back at the phone. "I think he's going to try to offer me my life in trade for yours."

"Dirty bastid!" Diane grunted. "Dirty rat-bastid! Stank a.s.s m.u.t.h.a-"

"Ma, please stop it," Simone sighed. "I need to call Sue to tell her what they're up to. See what she suggests." It was a solid idea. She checked the time on her watch. Sue would be out of the office, but she should be able to reach her. Afterwards she would call Joan. Keith was becoming too predictable. His behavior might work in their favor. She hoped.

Cain rubbed the itch from his eyes to no avail. He sat upright in the plastic chair with a wide mouth yawn, working the tension gathered in his neck and shoulders. Others walked the halls: doctors, nurses, and visitors. All the while, he waited. Then he heard the familiar footfalls of someone in authority marching his way. Cain lifted his head. His eyes locked with those of his father in-law. Andrew Hollingsworth approached, obviously less than pleased. His face pinched in anger. His lips were pressed tightly together in a thin line.

With a deep sigh and bravery in his heart, he stood.

"What is this s.h.i.t I hear that you're having my daughter committed?" Andrew nearly snarled the words at him.

"Had her committed. It's done," Cain answered.

"Bulls.h.i.t! No way my daughter goes into some loony bin."

Cain shrugged. "Not your call."

"Look, son, I know you're concerned, but she's a Hollingsworth." Andrew stepped in closer. "It's not how things are done," he said through clenched teeth. "I won't have you do this to her. She won't be further disgraced. Your actions and hers are a reflection on us all. You know this better than anyone."

"And what about your actions?" Cain countered.

"You know there are limits! You know what being a Hollingsworth means!" Andrew challenged.

"Why? Because I let you commit my mother in trade for your daughter?"

"Is that what this is about?" Andrew looked around to see if anyone was near. He stepped in closer. "That was a deal you signed on for, son."

"I've heard enough!"

"I'm not done," Andrew shouted.

"I say you are." Cain dismissed him. When Andrew didn't waver, he stepped to him. "She's my wife. I decide on how she is protected, especially from you. She's going. Do you hear me? It's done!"

"Careful, Cain, I'm better at this than you," Andrew snorted then turned and marched off. Cain grimaced, wanting to go after him and make it physical. He summoned restraint he didn't know he had. The tension he carried in his neck had travelled south and put a stranglehold on his gut. He looked at his watch. He didn't have much time before the meeting, and it was a meeting he refused to miss. He needed to focus.

"Cain?" A soft voice spoke behind him.

When he turned he found her less than a few feet behind him. His Maryanne. She wore a pale yellow shirt with jeans. Her face was scrubbed free of makeup and her golden blonde hair, listless, tucked behind her ears. "I'm ready."

Maryanne's mother emerged with her travel bag. "I'll go with you two."

"No," Cain replied. He took the bag from Bonnie and nearly s.n.a.t.c.hed it free from her hands. "I want to take her alone.

"Why?" Bonnie whined.

"It was Maryanne's request," Cain stated.

Maryanne turned to her mother. "I want to go with Cain. Just us. I'll call you, Mom. I promise."

His wife's eyes swept from him to her mother and then back to him and away. Bonnie couldn't object. Cain took Maryanne's hand and walked her out of the room and down the hall. They left a stunned, whimpering Bonnie behind. Breaking Maryanne's ties with them would help her. The doctors said so. But still his motives weren't exactly pure. And that troubled him.

Sue's answering service said they'd have the attorney return Simone's call. After a long wait, Diane was the first to cave and turn in to bed. Finally. Simone was all talked out. Though there was one conversation she needed to have. She resisted sharing, for the moment. Her pregnancy was the worst possible news, yet she couldn't be happier about it. She thought Kim would understand.

Rising from the sofa, she heard soft thumps from the hall. When she entered the walkway, she stopped. Kim had gotten a box. She was taking down the wall of tribute to Dennis.

"What are you doing?" Simone asked.