A Question

"Darling, where's your ring? Why aren't you wearing it?"

They had actually almost finished dinner together, but Barbara instinctively asked the question between silences. The woman's brow furrowed deeply. Perhaps she had just realized after a few hours that she had met a man who was suddenly silent, as if he was thinking about something, although he did not look anxious about something too close.

It was the complete opposite of how Moreau handled herself. From the start she had tried hard to blend in. Trying not to stand out, or hoping not to leave an odd impression in everyone's presence, until everything she did felt very numbing. It was only slightly thankful that Roger was nowhere to be seen in the house when Abihirt came out of her room. Now, even the man seemed to be casually watching the one—sided conversation—still hanging in the air.

Barbara's question should find an answer soon, though Moreau was sure her stepfather was looking for an excuse, since the ma