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“I know,” I said

“There’s no shame in that”

“I’m not ashamed, Mom,” I said firmly I set the knife carefully on the table and cleared my throat “I watched hiain I wish I could do it again”

Mo to feel it,” she said, raising her hand to stop me when I opened my mouth to speak “Maybe not now,at you Come to me, okay? Or your dad Or Mack Just… don’t try to keep it to yourself That never works It’ll only make it worse”

“Okay,” I said, a luravity in her voice that she was speaking from experience, and I hated it Mypeople I’d everanyone

We were quiet for a while as I continued cutting potatoes and she diced pickles

“So,” I said finally, trying to keep my voice even “How’d you do it?”

A startled laugh left herShe paused “I shot hiun”

“Thatta girl,” I said “I arden tools, but you do you”

My hter filled the kitchen and I felt my shoulders relax

An hour later, just as people were supposed to start showing up, we heard my dad’s piece of shit pickup pull into the front yard

“Dad’s home,” I said, just as he walked in the front door

“Sugar?” my dad called

“I’ out of the pantry

“My leathers in the closet upstairs?”

“No, I hung the hi on, Asa?”

“Gotta meet your brother,” he said as he reached into the closet

“They’re on the way home?” mom asked

“Yeah,” dad said, pausing “Boys are ridin’ down to meet ’em”

“Meet them where?”

“As far south as we can,” he said darkly “Escortin’ ’em home”

“Oh, shit,” my mom murmured

“Should be fine,” dad assured her “Just a precaution”

“Are they bringing CeeCee?”

“Yep”

“What aren’t you tellingher arms over her chest

“Tellin’ you what I can, Calliope,” he replied, reaching out to brush her cheek with his thu his leathers out of the closet “Can you get me some coffee for the road?”