As we drove home, neither my mother nor I spoke. I certainly wasn't going to bring it back up because I didn't know if she would drag my behind straight to a psychiatrist.

When we got home, Nubia and I both asked if we could go outside. Mom had us clean the kitchen and bathrooms and then we were free. I checked to see if Bill was waiting for me even though it was just after one—but sure enough he was!

I hurried down the street and discreetly climbed into the ...