Chapter 7
Perhaps mom was so wrapped up in whatever she was doing, she didn’t even notice me walk in.
After futzing with the stove for a while with nothing happening, she finally looked up and nearly shit herself when she saw me standing there.
She clutched her chest like she was having a heart attack. “Jesus Christ, girl! Why the hell are you creeping around in the middle of the night? You scared the shit out of me!“]
I stared her down. “Mom, innocent people don’t jump out of their skin at footsteps. What are you so freaked about? And why exactly are you prowling around my kitchen at this hour?“]
“1. L” [
She couldn’t spit out a damn thing. Her eyes darted around before she finally landed on: “I got the munchies and wanted some noodles. But the damn gas won’t light–is it busted?”
Then I gave it to her straight: “Not broken. We’re out of gas. Haven’t filled it up yet.“[]
e.“]
Mom nodded, wheels clearly turning in her head. “Oh, I see. Well, tomorrow when you guys are at work, I’ll go grab some.”
So she was still planning to pull the same shit just like before. The bitch was determined to kill my kid and Mark.
I decided to hit her with a question: “Mom, I’ve always wondered… we’re all your daughters. Why do you love my big sister and kiss Lily’s ass, but hate my guts?“]
But Mom didn’t even skip a beat and just went: “What bullshit are you talking? Who said I don’t like you?“]
“You do what you’re told, you take care of me, you’re smart. You’re good to me. You’re actually my favorite! Why else would I keep showing up at your place? I feel at home here.”
I had to laugh.
Funny how when you spew enough bullshit, you start believing your own crap.
“Mom, work’s sending me on a business trip tomorrow for a week. You mentioned buying gas–just watch your ass when you use it. If there’s a leak when I’m not home, shit could hit the fan.”
Mom nodded all eager beaver. “Sure, sure, I got it.“]
After I went back to bed. Mom slunk back to the couch. But the pure hatred plastered all over her face made her look like some stranger who’d crawled in off the street.
For safety’s sake, I didn’t breathe a word about my fake trip to Mark or Zoe.
Next morning. I had Mark take Zoe to school, then packed a bag and bounced.
Once I was clear, I called in sick to work, parked my ass at a coffee shop nearby, and watched the security feed from home. Holy shit, what I saw next completely blew my mind–another dirty secret from my past life I never had a freaking clue about.]
