Feeling awful, he gripped the handle again, tighter thistime, then he pulled as hard as he could. With a click the drawer cameopen and Burt sighed wit... relief.The bundle he'd seen Powell, the butler, carrying was there! It waswithin his grasp!He snatched it out, unravelling the cloth and finally he saw it. Thereit was! The pendant! In his possession again at last!With the bundle of cloth in his left hand he reached for the pendantwith his right fingers and hesitating only for a second, he. Lets get you up now."Mia pulled my legs over the side of the bed and she pulled over a wheelchair and helped me in. "You need a therapeutic bath to make sure yourcore temperature is correct." She covered me with a blanket and wheeledme down the hall to a room that was hot and steamy with a sauna andJacuzzi.Helping me up and in the water as for some reason I could only walk onmy tip toes. The water was very warm or almost hot as she went over andhit a button that started bubbles and water. Joe Cummings was a weasel of a boy that Carol had gone out with more as trying to be friendly than having any real interest. However, he took it as a sign that she wanted more, much more. He tried to kiss her when he brought her home and she refused. He tried to force the issue, and they started to struggle. I was walking home from Kris' house and came upon them just as he ripped her shirt and bra. I normally was not a violent person, but I ended up beating him pretty good. I pretty well. About the way I’ve treated her. And the way I’ve treated you and Mom the last few months.”I could sense my mom release some tension as I said those words. She took a slow, deep breath, as she sat down at the picnic table. I remained standing, still picking at the wood with the knife. Mom reached out and stopped my hand gently.“Matt, sit down.”I sat next to her, eyes wet, studying the blue and white patterned flowers on the waxed paper plate. The stupid design of this stupid plate... The flowers.