Alice didn't say a word to her aunt as she ran out the front door, past her mother, and into the back of the van. The dress landed on the floor at her feet, her eyes turned out the window away from the house and the wretched hour she'd just spent.
It was only through a monumental effort Alice kept from weeping out loud, but there was nothing she could do about the tears that welled and ran in endless lines down her cheeks.
Betty's door opened, her voice reaching Alice. "Thanks again!" Alice refused to turn her head, to acknowledge her mother. Until something heavy landed at her feet next to the dress. Alice stared down in horror at her backpack. She'd forgotten it in Claire's room. How could she possibly have forgotten? She reached for it the same moment Betty made a tsking sound and g
