Paqu

So O joins Paqu on the sofa as Eleanor, her silver hair set off beautifully by a deep-lavender silk blouse, passes out file cards as she says, “Three is a very powerful number in our culture and collective psyches, so we are going to use the power of three to enhance our personal power.”

Savages Don Winslow 2010

Turns out Paqu has joined a megachurch up in Lake Forest.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

Paqu was sitting cross-legged on the floor (this was during her Buddhist phase) and Stepdad Three (Ben once observed that O was in the early phases of a Twelve Stepdad Program) was plopped in his easy chair grinning at her like the lascivious mouth-breathing cretin that he was, blissfully ignorant that he had one foot out the door anyway to make room for Four.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

She hated having me because she got all fat and stuff—which for Paqu was five LBs.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

When O asks Paqu how things with Eleanor are, Paqu gives her an odd, uncomprehending look.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

“Well, Eleanor thinks I have the makings of a life coach myself,” Paqu answers, placing some flowers into a tall, skinny vase.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

The crazy thing is that Paqu never writes her back.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

Paqu looks at the flower arrangement and smiles with self-satisfaction.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

But then Paqu goes on patrol in the pantry and throws these things out, save for the gel, which O whips into her room the second Maria comes back with the groceries.

Savages Don Winslow 2010

Paqu got back to the three-million-dollar shack on Emerald Bay, strapped little Ophelia into one of those baby packs, and hit the treadmill.

Savages Don Winslow 2010