I drove home and collapsed on my bed. I didn't sleep though. I just lay there thinking about things. I would have to see Kluge and try to sell him on the idea that Alexis was gone to Texas. I rubbed my eyes. I rubbed them again and noticed that the room was full of sunlight. I'd been asleep for hours. I got up and went downstairs. The family was at the table having a late lunch. "No one working today?" I said. Felicia was wearing a T-shirt for some band that looked vaguely Christian. Chewing some potato chips, she laughed, "It's Saturday, Aunt Ellie." Nate and Bethany glanced at each other. She got up to get me a plate, but Nate wouldn't even look at me. He scanned the sports section of the paper without settling on any one thing to read. Mostly he just ignored me. * * * After lunch, I took a shower and got dressed. I broke out another dark skirt, matched it with a white blouse and a darker jacket. I dressed and went downstairs and found my brother holding the baby, watching a couple of birds in his yard.
