Quitting this Family after Being Abandoned for Laughs novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: The Engraved Glass

"I came down for water," I said.

My mother was in her pink robe, with her hair in a net.

She came down the stairs one slow step at a time.

"In the dark?"

"I didn't want to wake anyone."

She stopped on the bottom step so that our faces were level, and she touched my cheek.

"You look so tired, baby. I know this week hasn't been easy."

"I'm fine."

"I haven't always been the mother you deserved." Her eyes filled right on schedule. "I want you to know that. Whatever happens, I want you to remember I love you."

I held very still against her hand.

She had written, Make sure someone brings her up too.

"I love you too, Mom," I said.

She kissed my forehead and went back upstairs, humming, and I stood in the dark with my passport against my ribs.

I did not sleep.

In the morning I smiled over my father's pancakes, took Colin's good-morning text without answering it, and drove home to wash my hair.

At five I put on the green gown.

By six I stood in my parents' front hall as sixty relatives came through the door with cards and flowers.

Colin arrived at 6:30 with his mother on his arm and a bouquet of white roses.

He kissed me in front of everyone and said I was glowing.

At ten to seven a gray car pulled into the drive.

Two trustees climbed out, an old man with a cane and a woman with silver braids.

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