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"I think we are done with the ga and I don’t want to lose" His voice was getting whiny

"But I haven’t seen you in days," she said "Let’s go outdoors It’s a beautiful day I’ll o back tofor hours," Dora replied aan shaking his hands erratically high in the air "No!" he shouted at the top of his lungs

"That’s enough," Dora said sharply

Nate began ju up and down on the balls of his feet "I hate you!" he said over and over Then in a rush of defiance he ran to grab his remote froer zoorab the reaer was quick and powerful Nate’s face colored and he balled his fist In a flash he swung back and struck Dora, right over her heart The punch packed a wallop, but more than cause pain, because it was her heart, because she was afraid, the hit shook her Dora stu in her breath

Nate threw hiround in a full-blown tantru of helplessness She couldn’t o to him, to soothe him She felt sed up by panic and despair

"I can’t do this anymore!" The cry ripped from her throat She backed away from her son and covered her face in her hands "I need help!"

In a breath, she felt Mamaw’s arms around her, heard her voice at her ear "We’ll help you, Dora You’re not alone"

Chapter Six

Days passed and Dora did not leave her bedrooy She lay listlessly on the twin bed, wearing a thin white cotton nightgown, staring at the patterns of light playing on the ceiling It was another in what seemed a steady strea hummed, but Ma fan did a good job stirring the air, though the blades were slightly off balance, shaking the fan andnoises as it whirred

Dora had shared this small bedroom with Harper since they’d arrived at Sea Breeze in May When she’d returned from the hospital, however, she found Harper had temporarily moved into Carson’s empty bedroom Dora had expected Harper to ht before, but she heard the two of theirls till the wee hours of thea room with Harper She couldn’t have wished for a better rooer sister lived like a nun, albeit a well-dressed one All her clothing, shoes, and jewelry were stored in attractive storage boxes or velvet bags Her laptop and books were stacked in orderly fashion on the s, complete with crisp hospital corners Even in the bathroom, not only did she clean up after herself but she co up towels fro away toiletries into the baskets she’d purchased

Still, sleeping in the saetherness than either of the a book until late at night Dora usually could fall asleep, but on nights she couldn’t she pretended to be asleep while the clickety-clack of the coe

Everyone was gathered out on the porch Dora could hear the chatter and the clink of dishes from her room She strained to listen but couldn’t make out the words, only the soft h She could get out of bed, of course, but no one had thought to come check on her, or invite her to join the a tidal wave of sadness as cold and blue as the deep Atlantic Ocean Why would they ask her to join theht morosely Why would anyone? Cal had told her she could be boring, and she believed it was true People didn’t warer she couldn’t charm and make feel like family Carson was like Mamaw, spontaneous, fun to be around People flocked to her side Harper, too, despite her see reserve, see her, or e- noises

Dora had no friends, no lovers, no life Even her son didn’t want to be with her What rong with her? She clenched the pillow tight with her fists, re her breakdown

"Lord help me, I’m so ashamed"

Her own ht, could she see how she’d ns It was easy to see now that Nate was not ae While she was at the hospital he’d been worried, frightened, lonely, frustrated, and perhaps even sad Dora’s ultimatum had just delivered the last straw If she was honest with herself, she didn’t recognize them because all she could see was that Harper had found a way to play with Nate, just as Carson had before her

Dora knew her sisters were only trying to help To get to know their nephew better Part of her was thrilled that they werethe effort Grateful Yet, another part of her was jealous to see theether Why didn’t her son want to play with her?

She knew that answer She was the enforcer in her son’s eyes The rule maker In contrast, her aunts were fun Carson sith dolphins Harper knew the good games Her breath hitched in her throat as the truth became obvious I don’t kno to play with him

She heard a faint footfall in the hall and she turned her head toward the door, on the alert Go away, go away, she thought, clenching her eyes tight and holding her body still She just wanted to be left alone in her misery A moment later, she heard a faint knock on the door Her first thought was not to answer; to pretend she was asleep Then she heard Mamaw’s voice

"Dora? Dora, dear, are you awake?"

Before Dora could decide what to do, the door opened and Mah