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“I told you I needed to talk to Ms. Berry today. I wasn’t gallivanting anywhere, as you put it.”
“Oh, you were doing something alright. I called your so-called social worker two hours ago, and she told me you had left her office ages ago. So where were you, huh?”
“I got a job,” I reply assertively.
“A job?” She laughs.
“Yes.”
“And who would give a high school dropout a job?”
“It doesn’t matter who gave it to me. All that matters is that I have one, and I start it next week.”
“Is that so?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “And who is going to do yourreal jobhere at the house? Don’t think you can stay here, eat my food, and raise my electricity and water bills for free. You have a job, fine. I expect a check every Friday for having to put up with you and your sister.AndI expect all the chores here to be done too. I won’t tolerate slackers.”
Cold sweat starts beading down my spine when I realize she’s serious.
She actually believes that I’ll just hand over whatever money I make at the diner and still work in her home for free.
I swallow dryly and shake my head.
“Unfortunately, I can’t do that, Lucy. I’ll need to save up so Zoey and I can find a place to live together. I’ve already told Ms. Berry my plans, and we are working for me to get full custody of my sister. All I ask in return is that you give me a little time to save up, and then we’ll officially be out of your hair for good.”
My aunt’s eyes widen for a second, her blue gaze turning lethal just like my mother’s used to get when she was about to wreak havoc on us. The sting of a slap across my face takes the wind out of my sails, making me step back an inch to keep my balance.
“You ungrateful slut!” she curses, swinging the back of her palm against my cheek. “I have put my life on hold for the past two years to watch over you brats, and this is how you repay me?”
Another slap.
“Because of you, my beloved sister Alice is dead. Dead! You are a curse! Everything you touch turns to shit, you ungrateful bitch!”
Before she’s able to swing her hand across my face for a fourth time, I hold onto her wrist, stopping it midair. I never would have before, but seeing how close we are to being free has made me brave. Stupid too.
“I’m not ungrateful, Lucy. You, on the other hand, have plenty to learn about being a decent human being. If my presence here has caused you such pain, then fine, I’ll leave. I’ll leave today. Just please keep Zoey for a bit until I have a suitable place to take her to. That’s all I ask. Please.”
Her nostrils flare in contempt, her blue eyes the color of a thunderstorm.
“Zoey! Zoey! Get your ass in here!” she yells, making my hackles rise.
The instant my sister walks into the living room, Lucy grabs her by the shoulders and gives her a hard shake. “You want her? Have her!” my aunt shouts. “I never want to see either one of you as long as I live. Get the fuck out of my house. You’re both dead to me—as dead as the sister you killed!” She points a menacing finger at me.
My protective instinct takes hold of me as I slap my aunt’s grip away from my kid sister. I lower to her ear and whisper to her, my gaze never leaving my aunt’s unhinged stance.
“Go to our room and pack, baby girl. Get as many clothes as you can and anything of value to you. I’ll be right behind you.”
Zoey hesitantly walks away, but she doesn’t move past the hall into the back room where we have our stuff, determined to stay exactly where she can see me.
“It’s okay. You can go.” I try to give her a comforting smile.
“I’m not leaving you alone with her,” she retorts, giving my aunt her best scary scowl.
God bless my sister.
She’s so small yet so fearless.
“We’ll be gone in twenty minutes,” I tell my aunt.
“Make it ten, bitch, before I call the cops and have you booked for trespassing.”
