With my heart still thrashing against my ribs, I make my way downstairs, focusing on keeping my breaths slow and deep.
“You aresick!”Mom is shouting. “You think because you’re older and have money you can corrupt my daughter?!”
“Can we take it easy, please?” I hear John ask. “Let’s all just calm down—”
“No, John, I won’t calm down. This is an abuse of power. He’s ten years older than her, for God’s sake! Are you okay with this?”
I stop at the top of the stairs and look down. Momma is going crazy, storming around the marble floor, waving her hands inthe air, while Amon leans against the wall and John stands facing her with his arms crossed.
“No, Alicia, I am not okay with this,” John replies. “But can we take it down a little?”
“Take it down? Who knows what else these two have been up to while we’ve been away!”
“They’re going to stop,” John says, turning to Amon. “Aren’t they?”
It’s then that Amon notices me and smiles. His eyes carry such strength, such warmth.
“Joan’s not going anywhere,” he says, directly to Momma. Even from where I’m standing, I can see her jaw drop and her face tighten.
“What did you just say?”
“You don’t get to decide who she is anymore,” he replies. He looks up at me again, and this time, Momma follows his eyes. She whirls, and when she sees me, her face turns to stone.
“Either she leaves tonight,” she says slowly, addressing the men while staring me down. “Or I’ll expose you both.”
John steps in. “Whoa, we don’t need to take it that far—”
“Everyone you know, John,” she snaps. “I’ll tell them all that your son seduced my daughter! How do you think that will be for your business?”
Things are seriously out of hand. Momma’s about to put all this on John and Amon and send me back to the convent. I know Amon will do whatever it takes to stop that from happening, but I can’t sit back and do nothing. Not anymore.
“No you won’t.” The words spill defiantly from my mouth. My heart is still pounding as I look down at Momma, but I’m no longer panicked. Amon’s eyes meet mine, and I see the love there. The promise.
“I won’t?” she replies with a snort. Summoning all my courage, I descend the stairs.Don’t be afraid. You can do this.
I walk right past Momma, who looks like she’s about to explode, and over to Amon. With all the purpose in the world, I slide under his arm, a wave of comfort capturing me instantly.
“I’m staying with Amon, Momma. We didn’t do anything wrong.Ididn’t do anything wrong.”
Amon squeezes me, and my chest fills, like my heart is growing, fueled by the bond between us.
Momma stares at me. She must think I’ve lost my mind. This is the first time I’ve ever truly stood up to her. Mouth agape, she looks over at John, who merely shakes his head.
“We can’t support this,” he says.
“That’s fine,” Amon replies. “I can support us just fine.”
“John, you have to do something—”
“Come on, angel,” Amon whispers. “Let’s get out of here.”
He pulls me toward the door, but I hold back. “My things?”
He smiles and shakes his head. “Did you forget that I’m rich? I’ll buy you new everything. Now come on.”
Looking back, I see Momma storm off into the back of the house. John watches us as we leave, then strides off after her.
As Amon takes me out to his car, I clutch my cross, feeling its new meaning.
