It was mostly Lem's fault..." Hate to admit it," Mansfield Clagett said, "but she's right. He treated his wife pretty bad sometimes, and he was right ...harp with that boy too." Wouldn't let him write or draw or even throw a stick for the dog with his left hand. No sir, would hit him and yell at him every time he saw him do it," said Mrs. Clagett. "Lem could be mean, 'specially when he'd been down to the tavern there." Never heard that before," Beall said. "Now why'd he do such a thing." Thought. That's why I invited you over. Hearing a soft knock on the door, I open it to find you standing there. You're all bundled up from the cold; your jacket zipped up all the way up, a hat on your head and a pair of mitts on your hands. I take your mitten-clad hands and pull you inside the house, away from the cold and into the warmth. Since I'm still holding your hands I take your mittens off and put them on the tea table by the door. I bring your hand to my lips, lightly pressing a kiss to each of. Still, I hesitated, the thought of a close lookfrom her frightened me. She'd be able to see my thoughts, mydesires... Seeing the reluctance, she pinched my chin betweenher thumb and forefinger, shook me slightly, and said again: "Timmy, look at me."When I met her eyes, I saw with wonder that she wasn't angry atall. "Mom..." I started to speak when I became trapped in hergaze, held suspended between those magic halos around the blackwell of her soul. Her eyes caught me like a snare, I was. A moment to allow Ixchel to suck in some air, and then she got closer. Margot’s lips pressed down on Ixchel’s before she could take a second breath. A tongue invading her mouth. Ixchel’s teeth rebelled. Teeth on tongue and Ixchel’s jaws wouldn’t give up. Blood trickled into both of their mouths and dripped down Ixchel’s chin. A drop rolled down behind her ear. Margot shrieked a muffled shriek. Ixchel would not let go. She couldn’t. But her jaw got tired. Margot sat up and put her hand over her.