Lisa laughed. "I can just imagine how much of that Howard would want to know."
Connie grinned. "Howard? Who cares about Howard? Tell me."
Lisa shook her head. "It's an easy job, like I expected. Mrs. Giddon is so nice, and Tammy is adorable. Most of the time I'm at the pool or resting in the air conditioned house."
Connie glanced at her. "Fine, but that's not what I asked." She maneuvered the sharp turn and started up the hill. "And what about Mr. Giddon?"
"He's nice too, but he's gone a lot of the time."
Connie frowned as she turned the other corner and picked up speed. "He's gone most of the time, but he doesn't have a job? Can't you simply ask his mother what he does for a living?"
Lisa looked down at her hands. Why hadn't she anticipated these questions? How could she answer them without implicating Yancey? Finally she shrugged.
"I guess if he thought it was any of my business, he'd tell me. He hired me as a sitter and maid. The money comes on time and he has fulfilled all his promises. I'm not about to jeopardize my job by asking all kinds of questions."
"Oh." Connie contemplated the answer and nodded. "I guess when you put it that way . . ." She tipped her head to the side and smiled at Lisa. "Still, you must have some personal observations . . . thoughts . . . feelings?"
Lisa nodded. "How are things at the house?"
Connie laughed. "Alright. I'll let it go - for now. Everything is going fine with the house. I paid the electric and water bill this week . . ."
"Just a minute," Lisa interrupted. "You're paying the bills?"
"Well, yes. You gave Howard access to the checking account. Don't you remember?"
"No. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I don't remember. I need to start taking care of that. I don't know why I didn't think of it."
Connie patted her hand. "Because you had something else on your mind. Don't worry about it. You've never had to pay house payments or utilities. Of course it never crossed your mind. I'll tell Howard to get everything together and you can drop by to pick it up next week."
Lisa stared out the window. "I feel like I just started living again. Things are coming to me like waking from a nightmare. I haven't dreamed about it for a week." Her throat constricted. "I didn't want to think about it. I kept seeing little Nick's face in the window when they left the house." Her voice broke and she stopped, wiping her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever stop seeing that."