Chapter 597
Katelina changed the sheets before climbing into bed. She had a hard time falling asleep. When she did, she dropped into a dream that was more memory than fiction. It was Sarah's thirteenth birthday, one of the few that her mother threw a party for. The handful of guests gathered in the backyard. The paper tablecloth flapped on the old picnic table. Sarah eyed the house, as if her dad would wake from his nap and charge outside any moment. Katelina could see the same fear in her mother's rigid posture and nervous smile, the way she cautioned everyone to "keep it down".
Cake was cut, then came presents. Katelina waited for Sarah to wade through earrings and lotion sets to get to hers. At last the pink paper was peeled free. Sarah opened the small box on a set of best friend necklaces. Two halves forming a heart that read BEST FRIENDS when put together.