Dead Secret

appreciation next fall?”
    “You’re real funny—like I’d ever think that classical stuff was good.” Star came in carrying a dish with three pizza slices and a Dr Pepper for Diane.
    “This is a gracious plenty,” said Diane, looking at the large slices, and Star laughed.
    “We can eat the leftovers for breakfast. That’s the best thing about pizza: You can eat it anytime, cold or hot. I hope you like pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms.” Star left, came back with her own plate, and sat down on the floor at the coffee table across from Diane.
    “It is good,” said Diane after taking a few bites. “Did you pick it up on your way over?”
    “Yes. It’s Calystos. My favorite.”
    “You need some money?”
    Star shook her head. “You’re going to be buying me a whole bunch of expensive clothes. I can spring for pizza.”
    “I’m glad you’re taking a positive attitude toward school.” Diane took a bite of pizza, realizing that Star’s positive attitude was going to cost her plenty. She smiled to herself.
    “My friend Jessica suggested that maybe we could go to Italy to get some shoes. I’ve been saving money. What do you think?”
    “That’s possible. I have a friend in England. I thought we could visit him and his family while we are across the ocean.”
    “That’ll be fun.” Star took a bite of her pizza and washed it down with a drink of Dr Pepper.
    “Your hair looks good,” said Diane. “New cut?”
    “Jessica did it. She’s pretty good, isn’t she?”
    Diane reached across the coffee table and put a hand on Star’s dark hair. “Nice to see it all one color for a change.”
    Star giggled. Diane liked seeing her happy. Star was still having a difficult time dealing with her feelings of guilt over her parents’ death. Diane understood those dark and aching pains that kept yelling into your brain—if only you had done something different; if only you could go back and do things over. Frank said that Star still cried at night when she thought he couldn’t hear. Diane understood that too. Her pillow was soaked with thousands of tears. She was lost in that thought when the telephone rang. Diane jumped.
    “I’ll get it,” said Star. “Uncle Frank wants me to take care of you.”
    Diane started to protest, but Star was already to the phone.
    “Hello . . . Who?” Star put a hand over the mouthpiece and turned to Diane. “Do you want to talk to a Susan Abernathy?”
    Diane reached for the phone. Something heavy formed in the pit of her stomach. Her sister, Susan, almost never called her. There would have to be a dire emergency for her to phone.
    “Susan?”
    “Diane, I’ve been trying all week to reach you. Don’t you answer your messages? I had no idea what the name is of that museum you work for, and I don’t know your cell phone number.” Susan made it sound like Diane had been avoiding her on purpose.
    “Susan, what’s wrong? Has something happened to Mother or Dad?”
    “Yes, something has happened,” Susan snapped. “It’s a nightmare. You have to come to Alabama tonight.”
    Diane’s heart was beating hard against her chest. She and her parents were all but estranged, but the thought of something happening to them filled her with fear.
    “What is it, Susan?” Diane tried to sound calm.
    “Mother’s been sent to prison for robbing a bank.”

Chapter 17
    Diane expected to hear that her mother or father was ill, had been in an accident, had disappeared or had died. She had not expected to hear that her mother had robbed a bank.
    “Susan, is this some kind of joke? It’s in very poor taste. It’s late and I’m tired.”
    “Diane, it’s not a joke. Have you ever known me to joke? Mother’s been arrested. Dad is beside himself. He’s so upset he can’t go in to the office. You know about this kind of thing. You’ll have to come.” Her sister sounded frantic.
    “I’ll . . . I’ll leave tomorrow,” stammered Diane.
    “You have to come now.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why not? What’s more important? Dammit, Diane, you have to get on a plane and come right now.”
    “I had a medical procedure done yesterday. I can’t come right now, but I’ll leave as early as I can tomorrow morning. Mother’s had a bail hearing, hasn’t she? Are you at the house? Can I talk to her?”
    “No, she’s not out on bail. I already told you, she’s in prison.”
    “Is Dad there?”
    “He went to bed early. I made him take a sleeping pill. We’ve both been trying