Chapter 8

They ladies stood when Kitty and the kids walked back into the kitchen.

Kitty handed Saylor a glass of milk off the counter, "Here ya go sweetie." She then stood behind the kids with her hand placed delicately on their shoulder, "Peyton, Saylor... This is Mrs. Peters and her daughter Kaitlyn."

Kitty squeezed Saylor's shoulder, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Peters and Miss Kaitlyn." Both smiled at Saylor.

Kitty slapped Peyton on the back to take his attention away from his nose, "Oh yes nice to meet ya ma'am!" Peyton extended his hand.

Kaitlyn walked over and patted him on the head, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Peyton." Then she knelt down to Saylor's level, "and you as well Miss Saylor."

Saylor extended her hand and 'accidentally' spilled the milk on Katie's dress. "Oh Miss Kaitlyn! I'm so sorry!"

"Oh my!" Katie jumped up and tried wiping the milk off her dress, "It's ok." She smiled. "It was only an accident, sweetie."

"Here let me get you a dish rag." Kitty grabbed the closest one she could reach. "Kids entertain Mrs. Peters while I take Kaitlyn to the powder room." Kitty encouraged, "Follow me." Katie did as instructed.

The kids smiled after Kitty and then turned their attention to Lorraine. Lorraine halfheartedly shot them a smile over the rim of her cup. Peyton walked over to her, "What's that?" He pointed at her chest. She looked down and he flicked her nose, "Made ya look!" And started laughing.

Lorraine scoffed, "Don't you have chores or schooling to attend?"

"That right Peyton. We have to help Mr. Edwards with the barn chores today." Saylor devilishly reminded.

Interest sparked, "Mr. Edwards, you say?"

"What's it to ya?" Peyton sassed. He looked at Saylor confirming the lady was taking the bait.

Lorraine's voice went a notch higher... In a fake innocent childlike mannerism, "Why Mr. Edwards is my son, child."

"Ain't said nothing about his mama." Peyton squinted his eyes.

"Well he doesn't know I was gonna come see him." Lorraine continued with the childish voice.

"Oh so it's like a surprise!" Saylor clapped her hand with glee.

"Yes! Yes! A surprise dear." Lorraine smiled. "Do you know where he is?"

Peyton leaned his back against the table and crossed his arms, "Yeah we know where he is... what's in it for us?"

"I have some cookies." Lorraine tired.

"Mama makes cookies all the time." Peyton challenged, "Next..."

"Ahhhh candy?" Lorraine thought.

"What kinda candy?" Peyton asked in a cocky way.

"First take me to Mr. Edwards." Lorraine demanded.

"Don't get your hair all wadded up. Follow us." Peyton and Saylor both grabbed a hand and escorted Lorraine out the back door.

Katie was in the bathroom. Kitty offered to hand wash her dress real quick. Kitty opened the door as she undressed, "Here I found this old dre..." Kitty looked up and saw all the bruises on Katie's back and arms. "Honey, who..."

"Oh!" Katie tried to cover herself.

Kitty walked in, "No... No... It's ok sweetie." Kitty ran her hand gently over her shoulder, "Who did this to you?" Katie couldn't hold it in anymore. She broke down and collapsed in Kitty's arms. Kitty knew the feeling. She just held her and waited in patience until Katie could talk.

TBC