Chapter 7

Jessica watched Debbie as she examined her new bedroom. Debbie looked at the gold comforter and white, crisp sheets. She looked around at the bare, white walls. She looked at the desk with the brand-new Apple computer on it.

“We can paint it any color you like,” Jessica said.

“No, the color is fine,” she said. “It’s just that there is nothing of me here.”

“There will be when the rest of your things arrive from DC They should be here in a few days. We’ll put up your awards, certificates, and pictures. Your piano will be here, too. I was thinking we could put it next to the window in the living room. I saved that space for your piano when I first moved in here. I knew you would want to bring it with you.”

“The living room is fine,” Debbie mumbled as she sat on the edge of the bed.

“Debbie, maybe we should talk about . . . the current situation.”

“I’