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When I was fourteen, Grandood diet and exercise, cancer checks and heart disease prevention I researched and found out that they’re virtually undetectable, especially if there are no symptoms like headaches or double vision And even if they’d found it earlier, theyabout it, nestled in her brain She would have hated knowing there was a ticking tied my father and Chloe to allow Hector to come live with us I swore to vacuule day, promised to feed, water and scoop litter All Chloe said was, "I’ about Hector that Chloe was allergic to was the thought of his fur attaching itself to her garish clothes and furniture

"I’m sorry, Emma," my father said as I stomped to my room "We’ll find hi In a conflict, Chloe’s desires always overrode mine

Emily, livid in my defense, pleaded with her mother to take in my orphaned cat Mrs Watson wasn’t thrilled about Hector’s beautiful long white hair, but to our shock, she consented Hector, no dummy, transferred his feline displays of adoration--infrequent lap sitting and frequent tail hugs--to Emily’s mom My cat is ten now, a senior citizen in feline years

"Only one bag?" My father eyes my duffel dubiously when I exit the airport He’s used to Chloe, hoe carousel

"I’m only here for a couple days" I toss it into the backseat and cli into traffic as I take a deep breath

"Fine" I’ E for me in Sacramento, I’d have rather stayed in Austin for the weekend, even if I was completely alone there I wouldn’t have come home to see Chloe, not in a million years I wouldn’t have co viewpoints war inside my mind On one hand, I want to ask his advice about Reid and Grahaal adult soon I want him to know that it scares the hell out ofwhat I’ve always done

On the other hand, I don’t want to speak to hiy website I’ve searched says that the desire to separate is natural in adolescents But what I’ained norious commandments, not much of a curfew, and no pressure to succeed academically Grandma and Mrs Watson loved me, but they couldn’t parent me That authority was alith e me to become a star I’m a seventeen-year-old who’s raised herself for a solid freaking decade I’ve done a pretty good job of it, but that fact is so incredibly sad that it’s infuriating Sitting here in the front seat of my father’s car, I realize that I ains to talk about work, and the kitchen redesign Chloe initiated, and a problem with the sprinkler syste up and a new system to be installed

I don’t respond

And he doesn’t notice that I don’t

Chapter 29

REID

We’re halfway to the rehab facility, and neither of us has said a word Once we leave LA proper, the haze that doht blue sky seems painted above the landscape; the only clouds are wisps of smoke in the distance

I have no idea what to expect from the therapy session, or from Mom I have no faith in the process Why should I? The process has failed her le to avoid it

That’s not exactly true While it’s true that I push my boundaries as often as possible, I have it under control when it needs to be I like getting ha It’s fun Why not? I’ alcohol to "nu it when I’ Any number of Mo excuses I’d say I’ They’d say there’s a difference between explanations and excuses, and I’ it the other Then I’d say I don’t fucking care which it is, I’ ot to make it to He wants to know if I want to stay over at his apartment near campus He starts classes Tuesday, not that he’s stressed about it I doubt he’s even got an idea what his schedule is--his father required hioing to end, but it’ll be explosive John is riding the ragged edge of pretending to follow in his dad’s footsteps I’ot et it, he seems to support it At the very least, he’s never tried to er version of hi brilliant attorney at law Bonus--beautiful, alcoholic wife and talented, irresponsible son