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of the clothing she had bought in Barstow, then ascended the stairs once more. She washed her face in a private bathroom off her bedroom. It was charmingfull of colorful tile. But she felt distracted. Mike might not believe the talkative Hannah had any true vision, but despite her claims he tolerated her, even liked her. |
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Might he, after all, continue to tolerate Abby if he knew the truth? Would he simply label her eccentric as well? |
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She put on a fresh white blouse and dark skirt, then studied her face in the mirror. Perhaps sometime she might try the use of makeup. But only if she learned how not to apply it as garishly as Hannah. |
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Later, Abby expected that a maid bold enough to kiss her employer would join them for supper, but Hannah did not. Instead she flitted about in the airy dining room, serving them at one end of the narrow table. |
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Hoping to learn why she was hereand the source of her ever-present anxietyAbby encouraged Mike to speak. Besides, if he talked, he might forget to question her. She began, "Do you like living in L.A., Mike?" |
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"Sure." He passed her a basket of bread. "Though it lost a lot of charm after Aunt Myra died." |
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"I'm sorry." Abby broke off some bread and began nibbling. "She sounds like a wonderful person." |
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"She was," Mike said. "She changed my life." |
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"Because she convinced you to stay here after |
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