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“YOU LYING SCUMBAG,” LINSEY screamed at the television with her fists raised in the air, jerking as if she was shaking out the laundry.
Abigail said, “Gab is good. She circles her guest like a shark circling her prey, and bumping them before she goes in for the kill.”
Jake and Linsey turned to look at Abigail.
“What an accurate assessment,” Linsey agreed. “Flip that garbage off. Come on Abby, let’s finish up in the office.
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ROSE GLANCED AT THE doorway that Jonas had just vacated. “He always wins.”
Agnes ambled over to Rose and sat on the side of her bed. She took Rose’s hands in her own. No honey, everything ends.”
“He will hang himself,” Joe said. “He’s too cocky.”
Faith, Monica, and Jasmine stood by the bedside, nodding their heads in agreement. A commercial finished and Gab was back on the screen, sitting in the Queen Bee chair. The coach was sitting next to her in the guest chair.
“I for one, Coach,” Gab began, “am having a hard time with your story. It just doesn’t hold water. Your tale is leaking like a water balloon poked full of holes.”
“But...” The coach starts to say as Gab threw up her hands and cut him off.
“I cannot and will not believe that the girl’s father would risk putting his family through more trauma with a stunt like this.”
Murmurs of agreement rifled through the audience.
“Something is missing from your story, Coach.”
He tried to hide his boiling rage from all the watching eyes. He attempted an amicable smile towards Gab, but it looked manufactured. “I came here to tell my story, to show the world that I’m safe and to begin justice on my behalf.”
“I understand, Coach. We’re all happy to see that you’re safe and well, but that story...” She let the thought drift away and then said, “And there you have it folks, the coach has successfully escaped the hands of kidnappers with a tall tale to tell.”
The audience erupted in laughter. The show ended and went to commercial.
“You see, Rose,” Faith said, “not even Gab believes his crock of doody, so the police won’t believe it either.”
Rose slid down in the bed and turned on to her side. Agnes lifted the sheet around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “I think we should let Rose rest now. Joe, take Faith to cafeteria for lunch and I’ll stay here.”
“Monica and I have to be getting home,” Jasmine said.
Monica said, “We’ll come back tomorrow, Rose.”
Rose didn’t respond.