explaining away shit like it’s fact.
I can’t win with you, Al!
Mom’s voice is low and tight.
I’m being honest, telling you
how I feel
and you’re acting like you don’t
want to hear it.
Well, I don’t want to hear it
especially if it’s about you-know-who.
Jesus, Mara. I thought we were past this—
a fresh start, remember?
What am I even doing here
if you’re not going to try with me?
I amtrying!
You’re the one smothering me every day, Al
pretending like nothing has happened
that we haven’t changed or had this big rift between us.
A fresh start is not a blank slate! It’s just not.
… I love you, you know that, but—
I can’t listen anymore.
I connect to my Bluetooth speaker
and turn up a Stevie track full blast.
I hope that they can hear it.
They haven’t fought like this in months.
They can’t do this again
not at Christmas, not now.
Not when we’re just getting back
to the way it was.
I need to get out of here,
I say, my voice drowned out by Stevie crooning.
