“Oh, good,” I muttered.
“I talked to Mel, the fearless leader of the Reapers. I told her you're interested in joining, and she is pumped. We have tryouts coming up, but she said to come to the rink tomorrow, and she can show you some pointers. Just us skating, low pressure.”
I snorted. “Low pressure? When I saw you guys skate, someone did a jump that would’ve made a stuntwoman cry.”
“She broke her ankle,” Belle said cheerfully.
“What?!” I exclaimed, looking up at her, only to find her grinning.
“I’m only teasing.”
“That’s . . . not reassuring.”
Belle shrugged. “If you’re still interested in being a reaper, it would be a great start. You should come. No pressure. Just hang out. Meet people.”
I took a deep breath. It was time to try new things. “Okay, I’ll —”
Before I could respond, the front door opened.
My mother stepped in, keys jingling, posture already stiff like she was bracing for impact. Her eyes landed on Belle, then flicked to me.
Her expression tightened.
“Eleanor,” she said coolly. “May I speak to you. Alone.”
Belle’s brows shot up.
“Oh boy,” she murmured under her breath. “Mom Voice activated.”
I exhaled, bracing myself. “We’re just talking, Mom.”
“Yes,” she said, lips pinched. “And I’d like to speak to you privately. Now.”
Belle hopped off the stool. “I can go?—”
“No,” my mother said sharply. “I need to speak to my daughter.”
I set down my sandwich, heart sinking. Whatever this was . . . it wasn’t going to be good.
“Okay,” I said quietly, wiping my hands on a towel. “Let’s talk.”
My mother stepped aside, waiting for me to follow her into the living room like a criminal being escorted to sentencing.
I shot Belle a weak smile.
Text me if you need bail,she mouthed.
I almost laughed. Almost.
Then I followed my mother.
And the kitchen suddenly felt very far away.
My mother didn’t sit. Of course, she didn’t.
She stood near the fireplace, hands folded neatly in front of her, like she was preparing to deliver a eulogy. Or a verdict. The same posture I remembered from every time I’d “embarrassed” the family growing up, too loud, too weird, too independent, toome.
Just seeing her like that filled me with a sense of impending doom.
