Page 23 (1/2)

He nods and stands "See you toer across the screen of my phone My eyebrows shoot up when I see that the text is frobecause I rarely hear fro her ti some over-the-top affair at the country club she and reen phone sys pass before Mother answers "Frannie, darling, thank you for returningthis weekend?"

My lips pull into a tight line Has she forgotten so quickly that I’ve recently hs heavily into the phone "What are you doing in that god-awful state?"

It’s with that one sentence she confir on in ht" I can tell by her exasperated tone that she still doesn’t understand why I felt the need to go into a career field that doesn’t exactly h, yes?"

"Yes, but--"

"Perfect!" she exclai me off "I need you to housesit this weekend Your father is flying to London on business, and I’ve decided to go with hioing even if it’s only for a couple days"

I furrow reat, but I don’t understand why you’re calling me"

"Penelope already requested the weekend off, and there’s just no one else I trust to take care of Spencer and Ruby"

I roll my eyes as I think aboutCharles Spaniel dogs She treats those dogs better than she ever treated Annie and h when I would cos like Mother would refer to them as Even if they are undeniably cute "Give mother a break, Frannie," Annie would say "They’ve actually softened her up" Annie would only laugh harder when I would hters should’ve been the ones to unfreeze that icy heart of hers

Needless to say, I’s

"Can’t one of the other staff take care of them since Penelope is off?" I ask

"Frannie, you know I don’t just trust my babies to anyone I’ll need you to come home for the weekend and take care of your brother and sister"

Ugh There it is again I swear to God the woman is delusional

"I can’t," I tell her si train ride and--"

"Oh, Frannie, don’t be silly We’ll send the jet to pick you up and take you back," she says in a nonchalant tone