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Show 161 the phone to ring. She found herself not following the story. Instead, she was listening to them in the kitchen. Kaite's voice-she caught a word now and again-something about Christmas presents this year for the kids. Oscar would occasionally grunt. And then Katie laughed. It was a strange sound, a carefree laugh-what had been said? Sharon listened more intently, but Katie had dropped her voice now; was she talking about her again? But then Sharon knew what it was: they were discussing a Christmas present. Of course. For her. Sharon. It gave her a sudden hollow feeling, realizing this. No: she did not like that. She did not want them talking about her. Discussing something about her between them. But that is what it was, she was sure now. "Sharon?" Katie's call came from the kitchen. "Yes?" "Is there anything left out there?" There was. One of the kids had left a glass. Damn. She didn't want to take it out there, to be around them. She glanced around for some place to hide it out of sight. But no, that was foolish. Childish. She took it on out to the kitchen. Katie was still at the sink, but Oscar was sitting at the table now with a cup of coffee. He had removed her apron, it was slung over the back of one of the chairs, but his sleeves were still rolled back. He cleared his throat, twice, and then again, as if he were starting up an old rusty engine. "Katie thought we should get your opinion," he |