Chapter 9

“Jean?” My mother’s voice rings clear in my ears even as she strides toward me. “What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be back!”

Looking around, the house seems to be in quite a fuss. Hired men are running back and forth lugging around suitcases and boxes, my father running with them. “What’s going on, Mom? Are we moving?”

My mom clasps my face in both of her hands, “God, my dear Jean. You shouldn’t be here.”

Confused and starting to get extremely annoyed that she won’t answer my questions, I ask. “What’s going on, Mom? You told me to come back, remember? I got your message.”

“No,” Her voice is barely above a whisper but I hear the pain in it. My mom sways and I reach out a hand just in time to cat