AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ava throws her hands up in the air. “I’m a registered nurse working at a prison! It's not like I'm there to hang out with them or that I'm up to no good. Besides, why does it matter where I work? I help people.”
I smother my smile.
My sister is like a dog with a bone when it comes to her job. She is amazing at what she does, and she isn’t afraid to walk into a room full of dangerous men.
Hell, I’m pretty sure most of them are scared of her. Ava can be terrifying when she gets going.
Ava glares at Mom while I continue packing. “You know what? I’m not going to stand here and argue about this with you."
Facing our mom, hands on her hips, Ava tips her chin up. "How can you stand there and let Dad treat Zoe as some sort of offering? Don’t you care about all the sacrifices she’s already made for the family?”
Mom steps closer to Ava, looming over her. “We’ve all made sacrifices.”
To her credit, Ava only takes a step closer.
“And Zoe has sacrificed the most, yet you still demand more. So, don’t come in here and boss her around when she is already making the ultimate sacrifice for Dad.”
Mom shakes her head. "The way you are talking, it's like she is about to walk down death row or something."
Then her eyes find mine. “Believe me, Zoe, this is not the marriage I had planned for you, but your father needs this.”
A lump rises in my throat. “I'm aware I have to do this for Dad. Everything will be okay. We’ll all be okay.”
Mom nods and walks into my closet. She rummages through the drawers, pulling out more clothing to pack in a second empty suitcase.
“Mom, if there was another way to fix Dad’s problems, would I still be getting married tomorrow?” My voice waivers, but I fight to hold myself together.
“Your father needs this wedding to happen, so get your head out of the what-ifs and finish packing, Zoe.” She gets up and carries a pile of clothing over to the other empty suitcase. “You need to stop whining and do what you're told.”
After dumping the clothing in the suitcase, she shakes her head and stares at me for a moment.
Though I hope for a hug, some words of comfort, or even love, I know better.
She grips my chin and pulls my face closer to her.
“Pull it together, Zoe. I don’t have time to deal with your silliness right now. Act like the grown woman you are and do what you have to do to protect this family.”
As she lets go of my chin, I wonder if my mother is ever going to be the person I need her to be. The mother who fights for her daughter. Like Ava fights for me.
Like I need to learn to fight for myself.
Mom takes a step back from me, her expression blank. The same poker face I’ve seen a thousand different times growing up.
"It’s pointless to sit here and talk about the things that could be. We are looking at what is right now. You are getting married, and your father won’t have to worry anymore. This is a great opportunity for you."
She lifts her chin up. "You should be happy your father thinks you can do this. God knows if it were up to Ava, we'd find him dead in a gutter soon enough.”
Ava’s jaw drops as my chest constricts.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, my voice cracking. “It's nice to know I can count on you to be there for me through this.”
“I am here for you.” Her eyes narrow as her lip curls for a split second before the curtains are drawn again. “Someone has to make sure things are going to schedule. We’re doing what has to be done as we always have.”
Mom spins on her heel and walks out of the room.
I wait until she’s gone before turning to my suitcase and start packing again. I can't look at my sister right now without breaking down.
Ava scowls and crosses her arms. I know that she’s about to give me another one of her lectures.
