years

lly was better than the

ter. She worked two jobs now-waitr

hbor who watched her while Seraphina worked. June's lungs were still weak.

needs surgery. A tracheal reconstruction. So

y thousand dol

o hundred dollar

frantic knock of a neighbor,

She looked thro

s parked at the curb. An el

The head of staf

a crack, blocking the vi

t her faded jeans, her messy bun. His eyes s

heart raced.

id. "She has requested your presence. S

aid, her voice hard. "Julian thr

nderson admitted. "But Madam insists. Sh

cket pocket and pulled

'retroactive allowance'. She su

envelope. It was he

acks of

timate. It was at least f

ugh for Jun

It was a trap. Or

Seraphina said, clu

," Henderson said. "A

Mrs. Gable for now. If she took June to New Yo

eraphina said. "I... I have a ca

in the car,"

e door. She ran nex

ndred dollars from the envelope into her hand. "A big cleaning job in New

able said, hugging

une on the head. "I'll bring

black car. She

was a funeral proces

ainst the grey sky. It

droom. The smell of lavender

sive bed, looking like a dried flo

her eyes. "

said, standing stiffly

n, child," Vic

ed," Sera

ng sound. "He needs... softening. He has be

y here," Ser

etal hand. "For an old woman's regret. I should ha

burning in her bag. Th

e said. "I

d her eyes. "You'll st

t room. It was luxurious. The

ed. It felt too soft.

e lion's den. And