Chapter 5 — Two Suitcases By The Door

RachelYou cannot put my things in the hallway.

TomThey're not in the hallway. They're by the door.

RachelTom, she was doing chores. Chores.

TomShe had a cut on her thumb from a glass she was told to find with her hands.

RachelShe should have said something.

TomShe's seven.

RachelMadison was doing her own laundry at seven.

TomMadison had cake and a party and eleven presents on Saturday. What did Lily have?

RachelShe had a card she could have —

TomWhat did she have, Rachel.

RachelThis is your father talking. He has never liked me.

TomMy father drove eleven hours and found my daughter standing on a chair.

RachelAnd what about Madison? Where is she supposed to go?

TomYour sister's is forty minutes away.

RachelYou would put a nine-year-old out of her home?

TomIt was never her home. It was never yours either. It's my father's.

RachelDo you hear yourself?

TomI signed the lease. Dollar a year. I should have told you.

RachelYes. You should have.

TomAnd you should have fed my daughter.

WalterTom.

TomDad, stay out of it.

WalterNo. Rachel — one question, and then I'll go and sit with Lily.

RachelWhat.

WalterWhat did you think was going to happen when Tom got home?

RachelI thought he'd take my side. He always does.

WalterAnd what did you think Lily was going to say?

RachelNothing. She never says anything.

WalterNo. She doesn't.

WalterShe calls me instead.