Connie and Ben noticed it, too. They rolled their eyes and chatted when directed, but would soon fall back to previous conversations, Ben with Connie�...�s father, and Connie with Emily. Does Lydia think I shouldn’t be with Connie? Simon wondered. Had Ben and Connie ever been an item? He didn’t think so, Connie never mentioned it, and he was sure she would have. Simon tried to ignore it as he talked Connie’s father and Emily’s husband, John. After the eating was done and most of the dishes cleared. You look really, really adorable in thoseshorts, though, so don't worry, I'm sure they'll let you out pretty soon,when they want to play with you again." But Mom, why?" I asked again, fighting back a tear.Mom hugged me once more, kissed me on the cheek and said, "I expect you tobehave and do exactly as your told. And give a nice hug and kiss to bothyour brothers, if they want that." And then she got into the car andclosed the door, leaving me standing outside with my brothers. Randy washolding. The package.”Resh whimpered.When dawn broke, Resh’s fingers were aching and his body trembled with exertion. But he had finally dragged out the package from where he had buried it. It still ticked beneath the wrapping of canvas that he had thrown around it, and the man on the white mare slid off his saddle and crunched over, his silver spurs glinting in the gathering sunlight. Kneeling down, he swung the package open, and then nodded. “It’s functioning,” he said, standing up. “Your assistance. Parks, please sit down and make yourselves comfortable, I'm Aurora Gaines and this must be Chloe!!!" Thank you, Mz. Gaines," Alice Parks replied evenly, "it's so nice to meet you, I feel that I already know you after all of the phone calls and letters!!!" I quite agree," Aurora replied, "and I think that you've made a very wise decision to enroll you daughter in our facility!!!" It's more like a prison," Chloe retorted while sitting sullenly in her chair with her head down, "and I'm gonna hate.