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“It is what it is.”
“I didn’t do it, you know.”
“Spencer, I never thought you did.”
“I did spray-paint Mom’s car though.”
I was shocked because he had always been so passive when it came to our mother. He’d never fought her on anything.
“What made you so mad that you wroteBitchon her car? I feel like that is something I would have done when I was your age. Not you.”
He lowered his head. “I was just so mad.”
“What about?”
“She didn’t pay the electric bill again. All our food went bad, and my friend said I could spend the weekend with him, but Mom said no. It feels like she wants me to suffer sometimes.”
I folded my hands and rested my forehead on them for a moment to contain my rage at the selfish woman who had given birth to us. When I felt calm enough, I looked back up. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’m not your responsibility, Dom. You do enough for me as it is. You’re supposed to be living your own life. Not taking care of some sixteen-year-old.”
“But you’re not some sixteen-year-old. You’re my brother, and I love you. Yes, Marjorie should be doing a better job, but she’s not, and I want to help you. No one is forcing me.”
“I know, but I still feel bad.”
“Please don’t. Marjorie should feel bad, but you shouldn’t.”
I knew that was easier said than done.
“Is Mom okay?”
“She’s unconscious right now. She hasn’t woken up.”
Spencer’s lips quivered. “Is she going to be okay?”
I hated that he was sad for someone who didn’t deserve it.
“She might be. She will have some permanent scars, but most of the damage was smoke.”
And her lungs had already been shit, so I wasn’t sure how much it really mattered.
“Have you visited her?”
“Once.” I didn’t tell him I hadn’t gone inside the hospital room.
“Will you go again?”
I didn’t want to visit her any more than I had to.
“For me?” he asked.
I couldn’t say no to my brother. “Yes. But in the meantime, I want you to know I have someone working on your case. Tomorrow, the fire inspector is supposed to go investigate the trailer. I’m hoping this will clear your name.”
“What about the vandalism?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. They might drop all the charges. Your lawyer says we need to worry about the big charges first. Vandalism is a misdemeanor, not a felony.”
He nodded. “That makes sense.”
