Page 90 of Brighter Than the Stars

My father slept with that woman. Even if it was more consensual than she implied, he did it while my mother was at home taking care of the three of us, catering to his every whim.

It's so staggering that it casts every other thing I've thought in doubt alongside it. Maybe my parents did steal Faith. Maybe my dad really did kick Leila out to get me my scholarship. Maybe my aunt and uncle didn't choose to leave for Michigan...my father made them.

Anything terrible is possible now.

I think of Ford wincing that day when I mentioned my father’s tithing. I wonder if it was for the same reason I’m wincing now: because no matter which version of the story is true, my father remains a fucking hypocrite. He’s holy and religious in the ways everyone will know and recognize him for, but terrible—even by normal standards—when he thinks he won’t get caught.

And he—not Ford, not Mrs. James—is the reason we had to move.

Eventually, I pick myself up and head to the bus station. I stop into Starbucks and buy the drink Ford bought me months ago, then continue on my way.

I trade in my return bus ticket for one that leaves today. My parents will be furious that I've done this, but I'm too stunned to care.

I'm so numb that I barely notice my phone vibrating.

ANN

Where are you?

Going where people actually want me around and don’t send me to time-out in the basement as if I’m four.

You can’t fault me for that. You need to start thinking before you act. You’re making terrible decisions with your life. I’d be a bad friend if I didn’t let you know what I thought.

You’re already a bad friend. In fact, you’re not a friend at all.

Well, you need to come back.

I don’t think I do. Go ahead and tell your mother you kicked me out of the house.

I’ll get in so much trouble.

Perhaps you need to start thinking before you act.

I block her. Childish, yes, but I want to get the last word once today. It’s probably as close as I’m going to get to a win.

I'm about to put the phone away when I see the notifications from Calcul8.