Page 124 of The Hitchhikers

“Yes, you do.”

“She won’t believe you.”

“I’ll go to the police.”

“They won’t believe you either.”

She knew that was true. The only proof was in her belly, and even then he could twist it to say she wanted it to happen—that it was her choice.

She kept staring at him as he tugged at his neckline. It was hot in the house, even at that time of night, and he was sweating.

“The baby might look like you,” she said. “It might have black hair. People will talk. If you give me money, we can leave town. Youoweme that. I can’t get a job. I can’t finish school.” Her voicewas rising, and he was fidgeting, glancing around like someone might hear.

“Fine.” He got to his feet. “It’s in the safe.”

She followed him to his office and hovered a few feet inside the doorway. She avoided looking at the leather couch. Robert lifted an oil painting of fruit off the wall and revealed the door of the metal safe. He was turning the lock, spinning it around.Click. Click. Click.

It was the floral scent that Jenny noticed first. Rose and jasmine. A wave of it coming up behind her, and she should’ve known what that meant, but she was watching Robert. He made a mistake, swore under his breath and started over again, his coiffed hair flopping forward.

Robert glanced across to Jenny, then up over her shoulder. His eyes flared with surprise, and he let go of the lock. “You’re home early, darling.”

Jenny whirled around. Her mother was in the doorway, dressed in her shiny-pink aerobics leotard, with her red lips parted in shock.

“What are you doing here?” Her mother’s voice was venom, nearly spitting at Jenny.

Jenny couldn’t answer. Her mother looked at Robert again, standing by the safe. He stepped away, but it was too late. Jenny saw the moment her mother made the connection.

“You’re giving her money?”

Robert’s jaw tightened. “She asked for help.”

Her mother looked back and forth between them. Her eyes dropped to Jenny’s belly. A wave of anguish distorted her features. Jenny had never seen her mom show so much emotion, so much hurt. She hadn’t thought her mother capable. Hope filtered in through Jenny’s shock. Her mom wasoutraged.She’d see now that none of this was Jenny’s fault. She’d forgive her.

Her mother whirled around.

“Isabelle, stop.” Robert went after her mother, bumping Jenny into the doorframe. She followed behind.

She found her mom in the kitchen, pouring a shot of bourbon as Robert stood with his hands in his pockets.

“Will you just listen to me?” he said.

Her mother swallowed the shot in one gulp. Then she pointed a shaking finger at Robert.

“You monster!”

Jenny sidled closer to her mother. She’d be protected. Her mother was going to fight for her. She didn’t have to worry anymore. Her mother would help.

“You said no more! Youpromised.”

Jenny repeated the words in her head, but they didn’t make sense. She looked between Robert and her mother. He had flushed a deep red, his face shiny with sweat.

“How many girls do we have to pay off, Robert?”

“You’ve got it all wrong. If you’d calm down and let me explain—” He ducked as her mother threw her glass at him. It struck his shoulder, shattered on the floor. She threw the bourbon bottle. The tray that held the decanter. The crystal salt and pepper shakers.

“I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.” Robert spun around and stalked into the living room. Jenny could see him through the breakfast bar. Her mother chased after him, grabbed the candlesticks off the table. They were both throwing things now. Glass shattered. Something thudded into a wall. The record player stopped. Her mother was screaming accusations, but Jenny couldn’t focus. All she could hear was what her mom had said moments before.

How many girls do we have to pay off?