* * *
“So, this is your dream.” Mom moves around my new room, her fingers gliding over the dresser, as if inspecting for dust.
What does she think this is? Some sort of dump? She should be thankful for this place and the owner, who is the one keeping me safe.
“This is closer to my dream than Hawthorne Mansion,” I reply from where I’m perched on the bed beside Gram, my hands clasped tight in her grip. She’s the only good thing of this visit.
Oscar stands by the door where Keith and Mere left upon my family’s arrival.
“Of course it is!” Mom turns around, facing me. “Look at yourself, Clementine. You don’t even look like a Hawthorne.”
Gram tries to calm my mother. “Irene—”
She is interrupted by my mother’s livid gaze. “No, Mom. It’s your over-affection that has led to this day.”
Oscar takes a step forward, ready to defend Gram, but I’m already there. I jump in front of my mother.
“None of this is Gram’s fault. I’m responsible for—”
“Of course you are,” Mom cuts me off mid-sentence. “You’re a mishap attractor, Clementine. At least back in Cherrywood we were able to protect you. You always say and do things without thinking about the consequences. It’s been less than a month and you’ve gotten yourself kidnapped!” Her head shakes in annoyance and disbelief. “Do you even know what those men are capable of?”
My throat thickens and I push back the tears threatening to make an appearance. “If you know all this, why didn’t you send anyone to my rescue?”
“We only learned this morning, Clem. I asked Lukas about the details after our phone call.” Oscar’s hurtful gaze meets mine.
“My friends were taking care of it,” I try to explain with a hint of guilt for not informing my brother sooner.
“Your friends? You think Keith Adams came for you? He came because he thought it was his daughter who was kidnapped.”
For some reason, these words from my mother hurt me more than anything else she has said this morning. I know Keith came for me. He knew Mere was safe by then.
But did he save me because of guilt or does he actually care about me?
His face from last night, eyes shut when we kissed, sends a shiver down my spine.
“Are you even listening?” Mom’s shrill voice hurts my ears.
“Just leave, Mom. Please.”
“I have no desire to stay longer than necessary.” She opens the empty cupboard. “I see that you haven’t moved your things yet.”
When I look at her in question, Oscar explains, “Lukas also said that Keith is moving to this apartment until the case is solved.”
I nod.
“We can pick up your things on the way.” Mom fixes her perfect suede jacket.
“On the way to where?” I look around in confusion.
“Back home,” Mom states when my gaze finally settles on her.
“I…” I don’t even know how to reply. “Why would I go home?”
“Clementine, you are seriously telling me you want to stay here.” Mom looks at me as if she really doesn’t understand. “In the past month, you’ve almost been fired and kidnapped by a deadly gang, only God knows what they are capable of. You’re safe only because of some confusion. Next time when you get yourself in such a situation, which you definitely will, there might not be anyone around to protect you. I’m sure after seeing you this month, Mr. Adams is all too happy to let you go.”
My mind goes back to those early days in Keith’s home. My first day in the rain, his anger over the broken lamp, his outburst over me using his kitchen for coffee and the night when he caught me watching TV with Merida.
“Irene! Don’t be so hard on the girl.” Gram stands beside me and rubs my back gently, but it doesn’t help the sickening feeling in my gut. She doesn’t disagree with my mother.