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Page 145
that hadn't been dusted for a year.
Still, no yell of alarm from Kara.
She dropped the wad onto the counter. With a fresh handful of wet towels, she rubbed her face. The paper came away clean. But it was black when she looked at it after scrubbing her neck. She wondered if she'd gotten it all. She wished there was a mirror. The bathroom had a mirror, but that was too great a distance from Kara.
With some dry towels, she wiped her neck and belly. She fastened the button of her shirt. Then she tore off a yard of towels, moistened them, and left the kitchen.
Hurrying through the living room, she saw Tom still lying motionless near the door, Kara sitting on one of the cushions and reaching into the popcorn bowl beside her.
The girl looked over her shoulder as Denise approached. 'Did you get it all off?'
'Hope so.' On her knees beside Kara, she set down the damp towels and spread the collar of her shirt. 'Did I miss any?'
'I don't think so. There's none on your skin, anyway. Your shirt's dirty. Maybe you could borrow one of Mom's blouses or something. You want me to get one for you?'
'Not right now. I want to do this first.' Picking up the towels, she moved closer to Tom. 'Thought I might as well clean his face off.'
'Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, what if it wakes him up?'
'We've got him tied good.'
'Yeah, but still . . .'

 
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