I left Phoebe’s room to call Mr. Antolini, the English teacher at Elkton Hills. Mr. Antolini was shocked that I been kicked out of another school and invited me to stay the night at his house. Mr. Antolini was the only teacher who approached James Castle’s body after his death, the only one who demonstrated any kindness in the situation. I went back into Phoebe’s room and asked her to dance. After a few numbers, I heard the front door open— our parents had come home from the dinner party. I tried to fan away my lingering cigarette smoke and jumped in the closet. Mother came in to tuck Phoebe in, and I hid until she left. I said goodbye to Phoebe, letting her know of my plan to leave New York and move out west alone. She let me the Christmas money she’d been saving. I left for Mr. Antolini’s. On the way out I gave her my red hunting hat. My red hunting hat.