HAZEL
I nodded. "I can't promise perfection," I said. "I know that much about myself. But I read the pamphlet." I let my fingers rest visibly on the pages. "I understand what is required of me. What is required of everyone and why Lily of the Valley works the way it is. There are clear cut rules and everyone has a role."
I reached out and took his hand.
I did it gently and just as deliberately. I held it in both of mine and looked at him with something that could be read as gratitude, as trust, as the beginning of compliance.
"I'm sure," I said, "that whenever I make mistakes moving forward, I can count on you to correct me in the proper way."
The smile that crossed his face was slow and completely readable. He was pleased with how good he had done with me.
"It would be my pleasure," he said.
He offered me his hand and I took it.
