lot, short skirt swinging dangerously high.
Aidan’s teeth were grit when he grumbled, “Off to take news to the hive.”
“You’re right,” I said. “We’ll talk later.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Later that evening, I could hear Mona watching TV in the living room. I called Aidan’s apartment, hoping he’d be home, but the answering machine clicked in. His cell had the same result, but I left a quick message on it that sounded desperate, like: “It’s me. Something weird is going on. Call me back, ‘kay?”
When I came home, I looked up elfelejt and came up with references to the Hungarian language. Before I could find a translator online, our internet connection cut off. Mom had called the company several times to hear the same answer: they were working on it.
I thought about visiting the library, but Mom was so against it that it sparked an argument. Eventually, I stormed off to take a shower, leaving her with a screaming baby and Mona, who’d suctioned to every doorframe to watch.
Already cozy in my pajama shorts and top, I made my way to my bedroom. The bed was still unmade, and I knew Mom would have a fit if she saw that. Despite the fact that I was still angry with her, I did a quick job of trying to make it look fixed. I didn’t need more grief.
As I turned, something flickered in my mirror.
Looking up with a start, I saw my own frazzled reflection. In an attempt to assuage my appearance, I brushed out the wet tangles. I should have been studying, but my brain was fried.
Downstairs, I heard Dad come home after dark. Mom’s voice rang about being late. Considering I left her in a foul mood, it was somewhat expected.
Feeling the gravity that often came with their arguments, I realized I didn’t want to listen tonight.
I glared at my closed door as the arguing couple drew closer up the stairs. Dad was quiet. The only reason I knew he was there was because my mother’s argument was gaining momentum.
Mona turned up the volume on the TV downstairs. She hated these fights about as much as I did. Caitlin didn’t utter a peep, which was surprising.
As they passed my room, I heard my mother gasping, “Is it another woman? Is that perfume? If you think that you can abandon this family after…”
Another woman?
I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t considered it in the past. If someone else’s dad was late every night, I would have thought it was an affair right away, but this was my dad. Glancing at the door, I gritted my teeth so tight it hurt. Today was not a good day, and for some reason, hearing the accusation sent a streak of fury up my vibrating nerves. I wasn’t mad at anyone in particular; I was just pissed.
I flung my hairbrush at my bedroom door. Every hardened emotion carried it, as if the violent throw could pull the anger away. For an instant, I felt damn good, until I noticed the dent in the fake wood.
The noise stifled the argument outside. Only the TV laughter downstairs could be heard before long, heavy footsteps thudded toward my room. The door burst open as if by a hurricane.
Dad’s face scrunched in a way that instinctively frightened me. “What in the name of Christ is going on in here?” he demanded.
Mom, suddenly meek, peeked under his arm, worry and guilt lining her face.
“I need to talk to you.” My dispassionate voice was so steady and soft it made me uncomfortable. Dad’s scowl softened, just a fraction.
He hesitated in my doorway and didn’t look back at my mom for back up or support. I don’t think she would be able to take this conversation, the one I’d been putting off since the asylum. Though I was charged with emotion, I waited, staying as still as I could.
After stepping inside the bedroom, Dad closed the door behind him. My dad was a handsome man for his age. He had a prominent nose and cleft chin that sometimes made him appear angry. He was rarely angry, happy, joking, or sad, but he was always serious. He was still in his business suit; his
Aidan’s teeth were grit when he grumbled, “Off to take news to the hive.”
“You’re right,” I said. “We’ll talk later.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Later that evening, I could hear Mona watching TV in the living room. I called Aidan’s apartment, hoping he’d be home, but the answering machine clicked in. His cell had the same result, but I left a quick message on it that sounded desperate, like: “It’s me. Something weird is going on. Call me back, ‘kay?”
When I came home, I looked up elfelejt and came up with references to the Hungarian language. Before I could find a translator online, our internet connection cut off. Mom had called the company several times to hear the same answer: they were working on it.
I thought about visiting the library, but Mom was so against it that it sparked an argument. Eventually, I stormed off to take a shower, leaving her with a screaming baby and Mona, who’d suctioned to every doorframe to watch.
Already cozy in my pajama shorts and top, I made my way to my bedroom. The bed was still unmade, and I knew Mom would have a fit if she saw that. Despite the fact that I was still angry with her, I did a quick job of trying to make it look fixed. I didn’t need more grief.
As I turned, something flickered in my mirror.
Looking up with a start, I saw my own frazzled reflection. In an attempt to assuage my appearance, I brushed out the wet tangles. I should have been studying, but my brain was fried.
Downstairs, I heard Dad come home after dark. Mom’s voice rang about being late. Considering I left her in a foul mood, it was somewhat expected.
Feeling the gravity that often came with their arguments, I realized I didn’t want to listen tonight.
I glared at my closed door as the arguing couple drew closer up the stairs. Dad was quiet. The only reason I knew he was there was because my mother’s argument was gaining momentum.
Mona turned up the volume on the TV downstairs. She hated these fights about as much as I did. Caitlin didn’t utter a peep, which was surprising.
As they passed my room, I heard my mother gasping, “Is it another woman? Is that perfume? If you think that you can abandon this family after…”
Another woman?
I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t considered it in the past. If someone else’s dad was late every night, I would have thought it was an affair right away, but this was my dad. Glancing at the door, I gritted my teeth so tight it hurt. Today was not a good day, and for some reason, hearing the accusation sent a streak of fury up my vibrating nerves. I wasn’t mad at anyone in particular; I was just pissed.
I flung my hairbrush at my bedroom door. Every hardened emotion carried it, as if the violent throw could pull the anger away. For an instant, I felt damn good, until I noticed the dent in the fake wood.
The noise stifled the argument outside. Only the TV laughter downstairs could be heard before long, heavy footsteps thudded toward my room. The door burst open as if by a hurricane.
Dad’s face scrunched in a way that instinctively frightened me. “What in the name of Christ is going on in here?” he demanded.
Mom, suddenly meek, peeked under his arm, worry and guilt lining her face.
“I need to talk to you.” My dispassionate voice was so steady and soft it made me uncomfortable. Dad’s scowl softened, just a fraction.
He hesitated in my doorway and didn’t look back at my mom for back up or support. I don’t think she would be able to take this conversation, the one I’d been putting off since the asylum. Though I was charged with emotion, I waited, staying as still as I could.
After stepping inside the bedroom, Dad closed the door behind him. My dad was a handsome man for his age. He had a prominent nose and cleft chin that sometimes made him appear angry. He was rarely angry, happy, joking, or sad, but he was always serious. He was still in his business suit; his
Similar Books
