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that's shit. You don't know what you're talking about.' |
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'I know good and well what I'm talking about, young lady, and don't you dare speak to me that way. What's gotten into you? You haven't been fit to live with ever since you climbed out of bed this morning.' |
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The anger seemed to melt out of Lisa's stare. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. Her lips mashed themselves together. Their corners trembled. Her chin, dimpled and discolored with the effort of thrusting up her lower lip, began to shake. Her eyes filled with tears. |
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'Just leave me alone.' She scooted back her rocking chair. But not far enough. As she got up, her thighs bumped the edge of her dinner tray. Not hard, but the collision jostled the tray and capsized her glass, which tumbled over the edge, flinging out its contents of ice cubes and water. The glass hit the carpet with a soft thump. |
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'Now see what you've done!' Francine snapped. |
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Letting out an anguished sob, the girl ran from the room. |
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What the hell's the matter with her? Francine wondered. Damn it! |
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Carefully, she moved her own tray aside. As she stood, she heard a door slam shut. It sounded too near to be Lisa's bedroom door. Probably the bathroom, just off the foyer. |
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She stepped past Lisa's tray and picked up the glass. Squatting, she gathered ice cubes off the beige |
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