Summary

Chapter 3 is titled “And Then There Were Three,” and it is set in the summer and fall of 1980. Camille had “coached” Regina for the time she would take care of the younger children. They had all become adept at avoiding official attention that might have landed them in the child protective system. They lied when officials asked about their mother, always saying she was at work at various jobs. There had been a few times Cookie actually did try to live up to her responsibilities. When she or the children earned some money, she would spend it on theme parks or movies instead of necessities, and would never take Regina along. Regina recalled these events but said her role would be more difficult without Camille and Cherie.

Regina spent the evening looking for something to use as pillows for her, Rose, and Norm, but...