Chapter 39

When Chandra woke the next morning, it was to the sound of rustling papers. She fluttered her eyes open, feeling a little more than disorientated. She gazed long and hard up at the ceiling, wondering why she didn’t recognize the beautifully ornate designs of birds and butterflies and flowers.

Where am I? she wondered contritely, suddenly very aware she wasn’t in her own room.

More rustling of papers.

Chan was curious. She squinted her eyes as she turned to her right. There, sitting comfortably in bed, was Lilly. The little girl was already up and reading the book they’d started last night.

Chan shot up immediately. Oh my God! She’d fallen asleep right there in Lilly’s bed, and in Sam’s house of all places!

She panicked and scrambled to make sense of what had happened.

Lilly saw her sitting up and smiled. “Hi.”

Chan cleared her throat. “Hi,” she replied. “Is it morning?”

Lilly giggled. “Hmm. You fell asleep, too.”

Chan sighed. “God, I must have just dozed off.” She touched her forehead