At least half the books in the bookcase were plays. Elizabeth selected one of her favorites, Our Town. Leila had played Emily last year in high school, and she'd rehearsed her part with Elizabeth so often that Elizabeth knew the part too. Sometimes in arithmetic class she'd read a favorite play in her mind. She liked it a lot more than chanting times tables.

She must have dozed off, because when she opened her eyes, Matt was bending over her. His breath smelled of tobacco and beer, and when he smiled he breathed heavier and that made it worse. Elizabeth pulled back, but there was no way to escape him. He patted her leg. "Must be a pretty dull book, Liz."

He knew that she liked to be called by her whole name.

"Is Mama awake? I can start to fix supper."

"Your mama is going to be sleeping for a while. Why don't I just have me a little lie-down and maybe you and I can read together?" In an instant, Elizabeth was pushed against the wall and Matt was taking up all the room on the cot. She began to squirm. "I guess I'll get up and start to make hamburgers, "she said, trying not to sound scared.

His grip was tight on her arms. "Give Daddy a nice big squeeze first, honey."

"You're not my daddy." Suddenly she felt trapped. She wanted to call Mama, to try to wake her up, but now Matt was kissingher.

"You're a pretty little girl," he said. "You're going to be a real beauty when you grow up." His hand was moving up her leg now.