She scrubbed her skin raw, trying to wash away the smell

st conservative pajamas-cotton, buttoned to

into the

oking out at the brick wall of the nex

he bedroom doo

I sleep?

inted to

ooked back at her. His expressi

cil Bartlett to

crossed her arms. "The contract didn't specify sl

ncil said. "I'll take the

N

use

s you want to change diapers and sing 'B

closed it. The thought of a crying child

snapped.

thin blanket. "Good

bedroom and lock

as locked away, he took the opportunity for a quick, cursory search. He scanned the mail on the counter-bills, junk mail, a letter from Leo's pre

the sofa

by a good six inches. He tried to cur

gro

e. The couple upstairs was arguing about money

g. There was a water stain s

couldn't sleep. His b

s pa

e bedroom door

eep. He watched th

a glass. She went to the kitchen

around an

ncil, curled into a ball, clutching the thin blanket, his expensive

inge of guilt.

a step to

eyes sna

the view?"

shed over the rim of he

tting water,"

rubbed his neck.

d. "This is a violation o

't like it, you can leave. You can go back to

a cha

. The moonlight caught th

dn't you? You want me

ie said. "And I want y

n," Council lied

night,

name. It hung in th

d went back t

e shifted, trying to fin

e thought. I'l

rst time in years, he fell asleep