They Left Me Out of Their Group So I'll Leave Them Out of My Life novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Toast

At seven the next morning my mother knocked on my door with a bowl of apples.

I knew her knock too.

Three even raps, then a pause, so you would have time to feel guilty.

Keely was asleep on my couch, so I stepped out and pulled the door shut behind me.

My mother stood on the landing in her good coat with the glass bowl held against her hip.

The apples were red and shining.

She had polished them.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she said. "May I come in?"

"You can say it from there."

"I'd rather not do this in a stairwell."

"Then you'll have to say it faster."

She sighed.

"I made a mistake," she said. "I let a family matter get out of hand. I would like to put it away, and I think you would too."

"All right."

"Tomorrow is Colby's night. After the party, your father and I will sit down with you and go through every paper you want."

"Dad said Sunday."

"Sunday, then. All I'm asking is that you stand up at the party, say something proud about your brother, and let people see us whole. Can you do that for him?"

I looked at the apples.

She held the bowl out.

"I thought you'd remember," she said, gently. "Grandma's bowl."

She wanted me to take one and bite it, and call us even.

I took the bowl in both hands, stepped inside, and set it on the little table by the door without looking at what was in it.

"I'll say something at the party," I said.

Her whole face softened.

"Thank you, honey."

"I'll say it at the microphone, in front of everyone."

← Chapter 15 · All chapters · Chapter 17 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend