Page 86 of The Woman Who Couldn't Scream
“I’ll bet,” Kateri muttered.
Merida shook her finger at the sheriff.
“My concern was for you,” Lilith said to Kateri. “With your disabilities, will you be able to go so far?”
Lilith’s solicitude made Kateri aim the tray of sandwiches at Lilith’s head.
Merida removed them from her grasp.
Kateri thumped her walking stick on the sidewalk. “I’m fine, thank you, sister.”
“Good.” Lilith forged on, forcing Kateri and Merida to hurry and catch up. “Katherine, where is your charming doggie?”
“While I work, Mrs. Golobovitch babysits Lacey. They adore each other.” Kateri walked on one side of Lilith. “Mrs. Golobovitch also leads the Scrap Happy Stitchers.”
“The Scrap Happy Stitchers.” Lilith struggled between mockery and her excessive good breeding. She managed, “How quaint.”
“Mrs. Golobovitch has won so many blue ribbons at so many Washington county fairs she’s a legend in the Pacific Northwest quilting world.”
“I believe I’ve heard of her.” Because Lilith would never admit ignorance about any matter.
“Of course you have.” Kateri sounded the tiniest bit sarcastic. “Mrs. Golobovitch leads us as we talk and sew. Usually Bette Abrahamson, Gladys McKissick and Rosa Sage come together and sit together. They’re friends from high school. Emma Royalty is an electrician from Berk Moore’s construction crew. The electrical work she does has taught her such dexterity, she can do rocking stitches like nobody’s business. Lillie and Tora Keidel are sisters who are friends.” She sounded as if sisters/friends were an unusual occurrence, and hastily added, “Frances Salak is always there. Her mother, a cranky old woman if there ever was one, lives with her and Frances will do anything to get out of the house.”
“That’s too bad. I always got along with our mother very well. People said we were very much alike.” Lilith looked smug and somehow managed to convey pity for anyone who experienced a parental problem.
Merida admired that Kateri managed to say as much with her silence and her tight smile as most people did with their words. “At the SHS, we’re all friends, sometimes confidantes.”
Merida walked on the other side of Lilith and signed, “Will we be intruding?”
“Of course not!” Lilith replied. “Katherine wouldn’t have invited us if that was the case.”
Both Merida and Kateri stopped in the street and stared at Lilith.
“How did you know what she said?” Kateri asked.
“Oh. That.” Lilith smirked. “I’ve been studying signing so I can understand what Merida says when she speaks.”
Merida blinked in astonishment. Nauplius had learned sign language… after two years, when he finally had to admit his ideal woman, his Helen, would never speak again. He had come to like the fact she was mute; it kept her isolated.
Benedict Howard had learned sign language, but he had a motive—he wanted in her pants.
What was in it for Lilith?
Lilith didn’t wait for her to ask. “I like to know things. I find ignorance a disgrace to the human condition, and this time in Virtue Falls has reminded me of Kateri and her childhood friend who used to sign to shut me out of their silly conversations.” Lilith did a double take and stared at Merida, then at Kateri.
Kateri walked on.
Merida widened her eyes and stared back.
Lilith shook her head slightly. “Not that I cared, but while I’m still woefully slow at understanding, I will do my best to keep up.”
Merida nodded and touched her mouth in thanks.
Lilith signed, “You’re welcome,” then, obviously pleased with herself, she turned on Kateri. “Katherine, why areyougoing to a quilting club? Mother despaired of teaching you to sew on a button. She always said you were spectacularly unprepared to take care of yourself.”
Merida remembered that. Kateri’s stepmother had made it quite clear Kateri was not a daughter of the house and would someday have to fend for herself.
“Yet non-seamstress that I am, I facilitated the very first Thursday night quilting group.” Kateri sounded determinedly matter-of-fact.
