Summary

In Chapter 23, set in December 1977, Beth was lying on the couch drinking when her phone rang. It was Lily. She warned Beth that the police were coming for her. Lily told Beth that she could have stopped what was about to happen. Lily said she had left a note and asked Beth if she had read it. Beth had. It was a question Mariana had asked the girls. Mariana laughed when Lily said she was bitter. Beth always said she was sweet. Her mother never laughed at that.

Beth heard the crunch of tires in the driveway. Lily reminded Beth that she was not to leave the house, and that she was not to talk. Beth told Lily she hated her. Beth went upstairs and changed clothes. The police were surrounding the house, trying to be quiet. Beth startled them when she...