29

Thelma's Point of View:

I knew that my father and Steven would find out the truth about what had happened.

I was nervous and couldn't meet their gazes.

Father was angry, and he had every right to be.

I didn't say anything, and Father left while Steven waited.

"Thelma, what happened? You need to calm down and explain to me," Steven spoke in an alluring voice.

"There's nothing to explain. Mavin is the man I met with last weekend," I said tearfully, and Steven gasped, "What?"

"Could you repeat that?" Steven urged me to speak.

"You mean you actually met with Mavin White the previous week? Thelma! How could you?" Steven paced about, and I finally looked up at him.

"I didn't know he was Mavin White," I replied between sobs.

Steven turned to look back at me, glared at me, and asked, "Then how do you explain all these new marks on your neck?"

"I don't know. We just happened to do it again. I think Mavin likes me, but he looks angry about something," I said.

"Shut up, Thelma! You're