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So the extra money amplified it Perhaps it was because Hartford had jilted me, maybe it was the attack, but for the first tiet into graduate school and take care of Malcol by the seat of uy wasn’t onthe perfect suburban home wasn’t on my list

Kids weren’t on my list

I was on the list

Who the heck knehat toet a few piercings?

Mo in the backseat She tucked brown hair behind her ears, her sharp eyes assessing me from the top of my red hair to my flip-flops Tall like me with patrician features and wavy brown hair, she’d turned fifty-three this year, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the way she took care of herself Even today on her day off as a night les plant, she was dressed in casual pressed slacks, a boat-necked shirt, and a light sweater If you looked closer, though, you’d see the brittleness in her eyes; the sadness that still lingered since Dad had died He’d left us with life insurance, but we’d never been a wealthy faone to pay off the rest of our house, a large two-story colonial, while the rest had been used to help with e fund, Malcolm’s private school where he received extra attention for autism, and Mrs Johnson, Malcolhts Mom worked

Mom exhaled "Tell Hartford he needs to co him a second chance You know, he’ll always take care of you"

What she really h your fingers

I opened my car door and slid inside "I can take care of myself, Mom"

She leaned down to my openConfusion crossed her face atlike that boy fro that up," I said with steel inwheel I didn’t want Malcol, your life would be easier--"

"Stop," I said, cutting her off "This is my life, Mom I like e and it has nothing to do with Hartford And you knohat, I can do anything I want Maybe I’ll never get married Maybe I’ll jump on a plane and move to London Maybe I’ll raise llao"

Malcolm had stiffened next to me in tune to the earshift and took o now, Remi I want ice-cream"