"All right… you want to try? You want to get up and split, right now… and see what happens? If you do… go ahead…! But, you'd be in what they call protective custody, tomorrow! They'll take you out of that nasty, immoral home… and lock you up in Juvie! Public morals have to be defended!" He piled words on her, snowing her under the deluge of lies and half-truths.

Charity was silent for long moments; finally, she said, "… And, if I d-do what you s-say… y-you won't b-bother me again… and y-you won't tell…?"

Ray's eyes lit up. He had won! Christ! It was like taking candy away from a baby! Easy, man… easy as pie!

"Whatever's fair… if that's the way you want it!" he chuckled.

Her voice was full, flat, "Y-You don't g-give me much choice…"

"We're going to split, now!" he directed. "We're going to walk down to my van… and get into it! Man! You and me are going to have a real ball… with some real nice goodies!"

He rose to his feet, reached for her hand and raised her to her feet, slipping an arm, casually, around her small waist. He went on, "Like, why don't you dry up your tears… and smile at the nice, square people… you look like you're going to your own execution!"

"You've s-said it… exactly! That's the way I-I do feel!" Charity told him.

CHAPTER TWO

Charity remembered little of the ride to Ray's house; her mind was in a complete whirl, her thoughts entering and leaving in rapid order, her confusion complete, her emotions turned topsy-turvy with her new concern, not only for herself but for Donnie as well. She did know that there was some truth in what Ray had told her; however, she was not sure what the attitude of the law was toward incest. She just knew that it was wrong… and that somehow she and Donnie had been exposed. Dear God! Perhaps he had only guessed… or jumped to a conclusion, a conclusion that had been correct; then he had merely played a bluff. God! What if he's bluffing!