Chapter 18: Not in My House

Nadine's POV

Darius called while I was in the middle of a deed.

"Luka is at your mother's house," he said. "Right now. Don't drive angry."

I left a stranger standing at window three and ran.

I drove to Pine Street with both hands tight on the wheel.

Darius was already on his way from the Foundation office, but I got there first.

My mother's yellow house looked the same as ever.

The swing hung on the porch, and the chipped gnome sat by the steps.

Luka stood on the top step.

He wore the navy jacket and held a manila envelope in one hand.

In the other he held a bunch of grocery-store carnations, still in their plastic.

My mother stood in the open doorway in her apron, with flour on her forearms.

She had not let him past the threshold.

Three of the neighbors had come out onto their lawns.

One had a phone raised.

I got out of the car and stopped on the sidewalk.

"Hello, Nadine," Luka said, without turning his head.

I could see the monitor on his ankle blinking green.

"You're five yards from my mother's door," I said. "You were told not to come near me."

"You weren't here when I arrived."

"I'm here now."

"Then you came to me." He smiled.

"I'm only here to see Mrs. Corwin. A courtesy call. I'd like to apologize to the mother."

"You will not speak to her."

"Nadine." My mother's voice shook. "Let me."

"Mom, no."

"I'll handle this."

She looked at Luka, and her hands stayed folded at her apron.

"What's in the envelope?" she said.

"A short statement." Luka held it out, politely.

"My mother's lawyer drew it up. It says your family received a scholarship from the Foundation. Nothing else."

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