Inevitable Sentences Read Free Page A

it wide enough to get a better look at the visitor.
    The SUV belonged to Priscilla Madden, the prison psychologist and volunteer counselor at the lighthouse. Celeste’s jaw tightened. Priscilla hadn’t been expected that evening.
    Priscilla bolted from the driver’s door and rushed around the car. At the sight of Priscilla’s obvious concern for whomever was in the front seat, Celeste grabbed her parka and ran to help.
    When Celeste reached the car, Priscilla was bending over the passenger. As she stood she lifted a baby and turned to Celeste. “Hello,” she said in a not so joyful voice and handed the baby to Celeste. “Sorry to do this to you without notice. But it is truly an emergency. I’ll explain when I get inside.”
    Priscilla turned to the woman in the front seat, whose face was frozen in terror. “Come on, Tomika. You’re safe now.”
    Tomika didn’t move.
    Priscilla grabbed hold of Tomika’s arm and gently tugged her.
    Tomika pulled back. “I can’t,” she whispered.
    “No one here will harm you. Give it a try.” Priscilla again took Tomika’s arm.
    “Where’s Gemma? Where’s my baby?” Tomika finally turned in her seat.
    “She’s right here with Celeste, the woman I told you about.” Priscilla stood slightly to one side to let Tomika see them. “Celeste will take care of you and Gemma.”
    “What about you?” Tomika shrieked. “Where will you be?”
    “I’ll be back. I come here almost every day.” Priscilla paused and offered her hand. “Let’s get you and Gemma inside where it’s warm and safe. Do you remember what I told you about the lighthouse?”
    “Yes,” Tomika murmured. She glanced at Priscilla, then Celeste, and finally at the lighthouse. She lifted one leg out and placed a foot on the ground, then hesitated. Gemma started crying. Tomika stood, supporting herself against Priscilla, whose six-foot frame towered over the young woman. Tomika reached her arms out for the baby.
    “Why don’t we get you inside and settled into a comfortable chair? Then you can take Gemma,” Celeste said gently. She hadn’t wanted to overwhelm Tomika or scare her more by being too welcoming.
    “Okay,” Tomika mumbled her agreement.
    Celeste smiled. “Let me get this little one safe inside, shall I?”
    Tomika nodded, her eyes not leaving the baby.
    Tucking the baby under her jacket, Celeste said, “There. See?” She turned and ran for cover.
    Priscilla wrapped Tomika, who wore only a lightweight jacket, inside her own coat to stave off the bracing wind. She nearly carried the slight, fragile woman to the house.
    By the time the entourage reached the kitchen, the other three women and the children had assembled to look out the window.
    Adrian reached to take the baby gently in her arms, making soft cooing noises to the worried child. Priscilla escorted Tomika to the wingback chair closest to the fire. Celeste turned to Lorraine and said, “Get some warm clothes for her, please.”
    “Why do I have to be the gofer all the time?”
    Adrian flashed Lorraine a hard stare. “You don’t do any more than the rest of us. Do as Celeste said.” She looked down at the whimpering bundle she held. “Hush, hush. You’re safe.”
    Tomika sat in the chair and drew her legs under her. She curled into the cushions, hugging her knees to her chest. She said nothing, but her eyes darted from one person to another, over and over. Finally they settled on the fire.
    Celeste noticed that Lorraine still hadn’t moved. Instead, she was glaring at Tomika. Celeste studied her for a moment. Was it that Lorraine didn’t want another person in the house, or was it because Tomika was African American? “Lorraine, did you hear what I asked?”
    Lorraine jerked her head toward Celeste, as sullen as a teenager. “Yes, I heard you,” she spat and stomped off to get the clothes.
    “What’s up with her?” Adrian asked.
    “I’m not sure.” Celeste shrugged. “Perhaps she’s afraid that anyone new could