I clutch Lila tighter, feeling a sting in my chest.
Emily tilts her head, looking at me sadly. “You’re not weird. And not crazy.”
I place a finger over my lips, signaling her to be quiet. My nan and mom could hear her.
Nan’s voice grows firmer. “It’s a gift, Marie. Sloan’s ability is even stronger than yours or mine. If we don’t teach her how to handle it, she’ll suffer. You know that.”
“If that’s how you feel, then maybe you should keep her. Raise her the way you want. That child has only brought me bad luck and pain,” Mom scoffs.
“It wasn’t her fault he left. I couldn’t understand why you married that useless man anyway, he wasn’t even your soulmate,” Nan mutters.
“Take her. You can teach her whatever the hell you want, but I don’t want anything to do with her or you, for that matter.”
A heavy silence follows, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. Emily looks as sad as I feel. My heart breaks.
She doesn’t want me.
I’m just bad luck.
I’m weird.
Nan finally speaks, her voice filled with sadness, “She’s your daughter, Marie. I can’t believe you’d say something like that. I raised you better than this.”
“You did no such thing.Dadraised me while you were helping ghosts and other families.” My mom huffs.
“If you truly feel that way, if you want to leave her with me, I’ll do what’s best for Sloany,” Nan whispers.
I bury my face in Lila’s soft hair, wishing I could disappear.
FORTY-FOUR
It’s alreadyafter nine on Monday evening, and I’m pretty sure Hunter has stood me up. I know we didn’t set a specific time, but still.
Maybe he changed his mind about me.
After work at the shipyard, I shaved, exfoliated, and made my hair pretty and shiny—all the stuff you do when you’re excited for a date. Or at least, that’s what I thought this was.
I thought Hunter asked me on a date, but when I think about it, he just wanted to have some of my time tonight, and maybe I got way too excited over nothing.
My phone vibrates, and I look down at the screen, hoping to find a text from Hunter, but it’s Tally.
Tally
Hey, we’re back and just wanted to check on you, but the van looks empty, so you’re still in Satan’s house?
I chuckle, my chest getting warm, knowing that these two care enough to check on me.
Still here. Gonna tell you all tomorrow on our shopping spree.
Excited!
I lay my phone down, ready to change into my sleeping stuff and grab a book when my phone vibrates once more. I assume it’s Tally again, so I’m surprised to find a message from Hunter.
Hunter
Do you have a swimsuit with you?
What?
