“Would you look at that? She doesn’t want you either.”
I look at her but she doesn’t.
Sitting up, I reach for her again. “Mom, I can?—”
“Get out.” When I don’t move, she screams. “Get out of this house!”
Get out of this house.
Surely she means going to my room.
Right?
I sit and stare at her trying to understand her.
“She said leave,” Dad repeats.
I sit still.
With a sigh, he makes a move to reach for me but in a flash, she stands up, grabs my arm and pulls me up harshly. Dragging me out of the kitchen, she leads me to the front door and pushes me out on the porch.
“Stay out,” she says in a serious tone.
“What?” My voice is thick with disbelief.
Her gaze is sharp as it cuts me. “I said, stay out tonight. You’re not staying here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want you here.” She looks at me, eyes brimming with tears—rage burning behind the sorrow.
I shake my head. “You can’t kick me out. I don’t have anywhere?—”
“I don’t care.” She screeches, her fingers reaching for her hair. “I can’t deal with this. I can’t deal withyou.”
“Deal with what?”
“You,” she says slowly.
“Mom—”
“Maedrian come inside right now!” Dad’s voice booms from the inside.
She holds the door, her frame leaning against it as if she can’t stand on her own. She looks weak and tired. Bruised and battered.
I didn’t think I’d see her like this again.
I thought she’d be safe.
I assumed things were fine between them.
It was all inside my head. Everything is the same.
Things are back to how they were.
THUD
The door closes and the lock clicks.
