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I blinked and furrowed my brows. “I guess I did, but I just figured… I guess I didn’t know what I figured.”
Julia chuckled. “Well, I stayed for you. I knew from the time you were three years old that you weren’t going to be like your mother. You probably don’t remember, but I took you to the park one day, and instead of playing on the swingset like every other girl from your parents’ inner circle, you were in the mud with a kid you didn’t even know. I let you play, but when we got back, I had to sneak you into the bathtub before your mother saw. She would have had a fit.”
I smiled. “I don’t remember that.”
“No, you wouldn’t, but I do. I knew you weren’t going to be like them, and I couldn’t stand the idea of leaving you. I wanted someone to be here to remind you of who you really are and that it’s okay to be different.”
“I’ve always felt more comfortable with you than I do my own mother. Thank you, Julia. I don’t think I’ve ever said that to you.”
“You’re welcome. It’s been my pleasure. But, Violet, just do me a favor will you?”
“What is it?” I asked her.
“From now on, tell me when you go, and check in with me, okay? That way I know where you are and that you are safe. I know you’re almost eighteen, but humor me.” She stood and headed to the door but paused and looked back. “ Also, can I call you Lettie?”
I felt a lump in my throat, and I nodded. “I will. And yes. I am more Lettie than I have ever been Violet.”
After my talk with Julia, I sat down to breakfast, my parents in their usual spots. I took a bite of the cantaloupe in the fruit bowl at my place setting. I was headed into Aveline to help Teddy—he insisted that I called him “Teddy” instead of Mr. Burton—and today he had a surgery planned on a black Pitbull named Louie who had apparently eaten something he shouldn’t have. Teddy said I could have a front row view of the whole thing, and I could hardly wait.
“Violet, I have invited Theo and his parents over for dinner tomorrow evening. I expect you to be home early so you can get ready.”
I jumped from the table still grasping my napkin, my chair screeching on the floor behind me. “Mother! Why would you do that? Why would you invite them to dinner?”
My mother folded her paper down and looked at me with disapproval. “Violet. What has gotten into you?”
“I can’t believe you would go behind my back and invite them to dinner! I don’t want to have dinner with the Martins!”
“Why on Earth not? I talked with Theo’s mother at the club after your date, and she said it went well and that the two of you were going to plan another one. So here I am, thinking you’re going to spend more time with him, and yet I haven’t heard you mention a thing about it. It’s been a month, Violet! I told you he won’t wait around forever, and it would be lovely to sit down together and plan for the ball.”
I groaned and my voice grew louder. “Mother! I haven’t even asked Theo to the ball. I don’t even know if I will!”
“Nonsense. Theo is the perfect date.” My mother barely lifted her head from her paper.
“Well, then why don’tyoutake him?” I spat out the words like venom, and this caught my father’s attention.
He chimed in. “Violet, you do not speak to your mother like that. Sit down and finish your breakfast.”
I placed my napkin on my plate. “Suddenly, I’m not hungry at all.”
THIRTY-SIX
LETTIE
I bargedinto the clinic and headed straight to the back to change into the scrubs I’d left there.
The woman at the desk greeted me. “Hey, Lettie. Louie is in the back getting prepped for his surgery this morning. Do you—”
I didn’t even so much as look at Flo, Teddy’s receptionist, I just threw my hand up in a hello.
As I was changing, I realized that I had been rude and inconsiderate to her, the nicest woman on the planet, and I’d just disregarded her like an old sock.
I made my way to the front to apologize. It wasn’t her fault that I was living with two overbearing oppressors who wanted to ruin my life.
I stepped behind the desk and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. “I’m sorry, Flo. I didn’t mean to be rude. I have had a terrible morning.”
“Oh, it’s no problem, Lettie. I didn’t take any offense to it. I’m sorry you’re having such a bad morning. Would you like to talk about it?” she asked with kindness in her voice.
I sighed. “No, it’s okay.” I inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly. “I’m in my happy place now.”
