I lay motionless without a word, but I felt tears welling up under my eyelids.
- It is not your fault, John pointed out, and we spent the rest of the trip in silence.
I dozed off a bit and woke up after a few minutes when John stopped and opened the door for me. The sounds of aircraft engines in motion penetrated the silence of the Cadillacs. There was the smell of fuel and the humid Texas air. I opened my eyes, straightened up, and saw that we were on the runway.
- Let me help you out, John said, reaching for me.
I retreated in front of his arms and shook my head. I put my hand over my ribs where Erick hit me and tried to lift myself. When I got to my feet, I felt dizzy and blurred before my eyes. I swayed and John grabbed my arm to keep me from falling.
- Miss Knight, he said, s
