My hair seemed to shine and it looked brushed. I saw the lines on my throat from where Fleck's hand had been, and bruises on my cheeks from his brutal...hits. I reached up and touched my throat as memories of Fleck's attack flashed in my memory. His striking my face, choking me, the pinning me down on the island, caused me to shudder.Iman's words echoed in my mind, 'you have suffered a serious head injury that caused damage to your optic nerve. You had broken blood vessels in your throat, your. Jay nodded slowly. ‘Well I’m asking you to please answer the questions this officer has. Can you please do that for me?’ Jay finally relented and said, ‘Okay’ in a somber voice. ‘Thank you Jay,’ said the policeman. ‘Do you have any relatives, like grandparents, uncles, or aunts?’ Jay was quiet for a minute then murmured, ‘I think so.’ ‘You think so?’ said the policeman. ‘Well, I know my daddy’s daddy died a long time ago in a war, the one they show on MASH, and my daddy’s mommy died when I was. Some my peers made fun ofme, and our family. The few friends that I had left I had to abandon whenwe moved. I started middle school in a new place with no friends," Kelliereplied on the verge of tears.New Beth realized something that Old Beth never knew, how much herfamily's sudden move impacted her sister. Beth was only in the secondgrade when these events happen as a result she was protected by theinnocence of being a young child. Her sister however was entering herteen years facing all of. Perhaps he'd bring his trusty old fishing pole and try to catch Ol' Flounder. That danged fish always got away. He'd sure make a right fine dinner one of these days.Being a brisk 55 degrees outside, Vern pulled on a light jacket and sauntered out to the barn. A gas heater hung from the ceiling above the stall, keeping it at about 68 degrees."Morning, girl," he said as he grabbed a shovel and entered her stall."M-m-m-morning, V-V-V-Vern," Mindy answered as her breath exited her mouth in puffs of.