“Don’t ‘mother’ me, Hudson Adler.”
At least she didn’t list out every single one of my names. I’ve got that going for me.
“We…” She points at herself, then at me. “Donotsue our friends.”
“Friends?” I chuckle. “You hate Barbara McAllister.”
“I do not.” She fumes, glancing quickly back at Monica. “We’re on the board of the Chicago Beautification Project together. We do lunch.Of coursewe’refriends.”
“Oh, I see.” She’d fully admit her hostile relationship with Barbara McAllister if Monica weren’t present. I know it.
“Apparently you don’t, Hudson. You don’t see what you’ve done. Whatshe’sdone.” Monica seems to think she’s got a right to speak on this matter. She doesn’t.
“This is none of your concern, Monica.”
Mother snaps, “We’re the laughingstock of-of everyone.”
Taking several steps closer to my mother, I say something I shouldn’t. “You need to calm down, Mother.”
“Cal-calm down?” Oh, boy. Her voice. It reminds me of a screech owl. I’ve never heard it like that before, which tells me she’s extremely angry. “You want me to cal-calm down?”
Shit.
It’s Marilynn’s turn to move. She’s in front of me so fast I don’t know how she got here. “You listen to me, and you listen to me right now, Hudson James Maxwell Adler…”
And there it is.
“You need to choose.”
“Choose?”
“Yes. Choose, Hudson.” Monica again.
Ignoring her, I look down at my mother’s red face. There’s a sheen on it like she’s sweating.
Marilynn Adler doesn’t sweat.
“Choose betweenher.” Mother jabs that finger out in Willa’s direction. “And us.”
“Us?” I’m being a bit antagonistic right now. “Do you mean you and Monica because…” There’s really no other option…
“Us,” She snaps. “Your family. It’s either that girl, or your family.”
I don’t even flinch. “I choose Willa.”
Oh boy. I’ve never seen that color on a person’s face before. It’s a cross between white and yellow. “Mother?” I should probably keep a close eye to make sure she doesn’t pass out spewing all that vitriol.
“Hudson…” Willa’s found her way into the fray. I kinda wish she’d stay back, but I’m dealing with the new and improved kick-ass Willa. I need to let her be her. “Don’t antagonize her.”
“She’s overstepped, Willa. I’m done letting her dictate how I live my life. And your suit against McAllister is none of her concern.”
Mother’s voice cracks as she’s still focused on my choosing of Willa. “You didn’t even think about it?”
I shrug doing my best to act nonchalant because if I flinch, show fear in any way, Marilynn Adler will pounce. “What’s to think about?”
“You’rean Adler. You need to remember that.” Monica again. Jesus.
“Stay out of this, Monica.” I run a hand through my hair. “Why are you here again?”
