Read Online The Piper by Lynn Hightower - Free Book Online Page A

daughter?’
    Charlotte rubbed her forehead. ‘Janet, you and Annette go in with Cassidy and watch TV for awhile. Go, now, we’ll talk later on. Olivia. Look, I’m sorry, but I think the best thing right now is for you and Teddy to leave. Teddy, hon, get your book bag, okay, your mom needs to take you home.’
    â€˜But we’re not safe at home,’ Teddy whispered.
    Olivia picked up Teddy’s book bag and took her daughter’s hand. ‘Of course we’re safe. Your cousins were playing a dirty trick, to scare you.’
    Charlotte looked over her shoulder at her daughters, trudging down the hall. ‘Olivia, I just – I need to think.’
    â€˜Don’t worry about it, Charlotte. If you want us to go home, we’ll go home.’
    â€˜Livie, you don’t understand—’
    â€˜I understand you’ve been through a really rough year.’ Olivia led her daughter through the house, snatched up her shoes, and paused at the front door, Charlotte trailing behind. ‘Teddy, thank your Aunt Charlotte for picking you up from school today.’
    â€˜Thank you, Aunt Charlotte.’
    â€˜You’re welcome, hon.’ Charlotte bent down and gave Teddy a long hug. She looked up at Olivia. She was crying and mascara was beginning to run around the edges of her eyes. ‘Would you go on and get in the car, Teddy, I want to have a quick talk with your mom. Okay, baby? Good girl.’
    Olivia watched her daughter head for the car, clutching her book bag to her stomach, shoulders slumping, chin tucked into her chest.
    Charlotte stood up, pushed her hair out of her face. The pencil slid from behind her ear and hit the sidewalk. She did not bend to pick it up.
    â€˜Livie, I’m sorry. Really, really sorry.’
    â€˜It’s okay, Charlotte, just talk to Janet and tell her—’
    â€˜No, that’s not what I mean. I can’t . . . I can’t have this . . . this
business
starting up all over again. Livie, I’m sorry, but this arrangement we made isn’t going to work. I won’t be able to pick Teddy up from school anymore.’
    â€˜
Charlotte
.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, please believe me.’
    â€˜Fine.’ Olivia dug her car keys out of her purse. Her hands were shaking, but she managed to get her sunglasses and the keys, slide those high heels back on her feet. ‘Whatever you say, Charlotte. You’re right, I won’t need you to get Teddy after school. Teddy and I can take care of ourselves.’
    â€˜Livie, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’
    â€˜Stop apologizing, Charlotte.’
    â€˜I feel like I’m abandoning you. Please understand I . . . I can’t let this start up again. I have to keep my children safe.’
    â€˜Your daughter needs help, Charlotte. So do you.’
    â€˜You’re the one that needs help, Livie.’
    â€˜
What did you say?
’
    â€˜I know you don’t believe me. And I’m sorry for you. I am. I hope things don’t happen to you the way they did to us. Because once you’ve seen it with your own eyes, Livie, your life will never be the same.’
    Charlotte stepped back in the house and shut the door in Olivia’s face.

ELEVEN
    I t was Olivia, not Teddy, who cried on the way home. Olivia’s fingertips trembled on the steering wheel.
    â€˜Are you scared to go home, Mommy?’ Teddy asked.
    â€˜No, I am not.’
    â€˜But you’re crying.’
    â€˜Aunt Charlotte hurt my feelings, that’s all.’
    â€˜Maybe we’re not safe without a daddy in the house.’
    â€˜We’re safe.’
    â€˜But I’m scared. Do you believe in ghosts, Mommy?’
    â€˜Sometimes. But the kind of ghosts I believe in are family. I think my mama and daddy are watching over us. And so is Uncle Chris. But that doesn’t scare me, that makes me feel safe.’
    â€˜Do you think they’re in the