Page 53 of Revere

Mom hums, ignoring my disobedience. But the pause of her nails on the glass hints at her irritation. A small gesture I only recognize from living with her for eighteen years.

“You said you needed me here this weekend because you were worried about him.” I shove my chin up. “He seems fine.”

“Fine?” Mom scoffs, brushing me off as usual. “Your brother is still refusing to speak, much less come home. He’s far fromfine.”

“He’s here right now.” I shrug. “Meeting with Dad to plan another Sigma Sin apocalypse even.”

“They’re simply catching up.” Mom waves a hand in the air to brush me off.

“Alone? Away from everyone else?”

“Your father probably has a book for him in the office.”

“Aren’t there enough books in here?” Mila mutters, and while my mom frowns at her, I have to bite back a laugh. “Just saying.”

At least someone isn’t afraid to stand up to my mother and her ridiculous rhetoric.

Mom opens her mouth, likely to say something venomous to Mila, so I cut her off before she gets the chance. “I’m not a kid anymore, Mom. I know what’s in the books Dad gives him. I know what Dad has Alex doing.”

“Your brother does as he wishes.” Mom takes a drink.

“Because only Alex is allowed to do what he wants, right? Only his indiscretions are forgivable. Only he can make mistakes. While I can’t even leave Bristal for the summer without you and Dad making my life a nightmare?”

“Stop being so dramatic, Patience.” Her stare ices over. “We’ve funded you chasing yourdreamsas you call them. Getting your silly degree when you don’t need it. This summer was utterly unnecessary. You can’t possibly expect us to support it.”

“Why wouldn’t she need a degree?” Mila blurts out.

“Why would she need it?” Mom turns to Mila, her irritation spiking in her tone, which is unlike her in front of guests. “What’s she going to use that for?”

“Getting a job after college?”

“A job. How ridiculous.” Mom scoffs. “And this is the girl Alex has decided to take an interest in? I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“Why is that, Mother?” My tone is calm now.

Too calm.

I’m so used to my mother running me over in conversation. But not tonight. Not anymore.

Maybe it’s seeing Mila stick up for herself. Maybe it’s my time away. Maybe it’s what I’ve done with Jacob, knowing I’ve already crossed so many lines, what’s one more? But I refuse to hold my tongue for her comfort.

I narrow my eyes. “Because God forbid Alex appreciates a woman who wants to be something more than a puppet?”

“Patience.” Mom grabs the cross dangling from her neck. “Watch how you use our Lord’s name.”

“Or what?” My tone chills. “You’ll have me recite the rosary?”

Just saying that sentence has my knees burning. My elbows aching. My chest tightening. Scars on the outside don’t come close to being as awful as the marks on my soul.

The fire beside us cracks, and Mila jumps. That small flinch is all that breaks the tension on the verge of snapping as my mother stares at me.

“Enjoy your summer, Patience.” Mom taps her glass with a single nail. “We’ll have more to talk about when it’s over.”

If I come back, I think.

I’m tempted to stay in LA. Or if that’s too expensive, take what’s left of my grandparents’ inheritance and disappear where my parents will never find me. If it weren’t for Alex, I would.

“Is there a bathroom I can use?” Mila stands, brushing her palms down the front of her white summer dress.