I turned. Melanie stood in the hall, that superior look already in place.
“Something you want to say?”
“That was some stellar parenting, Scott. Truly inspiring.”
“Thanks, Mel. I’m sure your two oldest can afford the good stuff. Straight up their noses.”
She didn’t even blink. “At least mine didn’t learn it from me.”
“Stay out of it,” I said, the last of my patience snapping. “Better yet, go home. We don’t need you here anymore.”
“You might not, but my sister does. I know you don’t like me. That’s fine. I don’t like you either. But you need her functional,”she said, lifting her chin, “and I’m the one keeping her that way. So yes, you need me.”
I hated that she was right. But I hated more what it might cost me.
“I know what you want,” I said, keeping my voice low. “What you’ve always wanted.”
Melanie lowered hers to match. “She doesn’t belong here. She never has. And you know it. Maybe now she’ll finally see.”
“Now?” I stepped closer. “Now, when her son is missing?”
I shook my head. “You actually think this is the moment to steal her away?”
I walked out the back door, too drained to keep fighting but knowing that if I didn’t get Melanie out of my marriage, Michelle would slip away from me piece by piece.
35
MICHELLE: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
Melanie already had the bottle open when I walked into the kitchen, having accurately anticipated my mood. Whatever was in that bottle was expensive, amber, and overkill. A five-dollar flask would have done the job.
“Fancy,” I said, lowering myself to the stool, a heaviness to my movements. Even the scalding shower I’d just taken wasn’t enough to erase the sights and sounds of the day. Jake’s face on the poster. Scott’s impassioned plea. The judgment launched my way. Quinn’s terrified little “Mommy?” echoes in my skull. Today, like every other day since Jake had gone missing, was just one long, breathless crawl from sunrise to whatever passed for sleep.
“Only the finest.” She poured generously and then slid the glass toward me. By the looks of it, she was already a few drinks in.
I didn’t pick it up, instead I studied the bottle and wondered how Melanie had procured it when she barely left the house.
“Did Scott pick this up for you?”
She gave a dismissive laugh. “Uh. No. This particular brand is well above his pay grade.”
There it was—the subtle dig. She’d never approved of mymarriage, but when we were thriving with our six kids, two jobs, and an average Joe charmed life, there was nothing for her to sink her teeth into. Now there was, however misplaced the criticism.
I chose to ignore it. “So how did you get it?”
“I sent for it. The county’s only five-star restaurant personally delivered it.”
“You gave our address out to a stranger?” My eyes narrowed. “With Kyle in the house?”
She was taken aback by the accusation. “Michelle, the whole county knows where you live. Hell, most of them are currently on your front lawn.”
She was referring to the roving group of reporters who’d set up camp in front of the house. They were dwindling in numbers, but there were a few hearty ones still there.
“Besides, I would’ve asked your husband, but he’s always disappearing. For hours on end.”
I stiffened. “He’s out searching for Jake.”
She made a small noise, something between a scoff and a sigh. “Is that what we’re calling it?”
