Page 18 of White Hole

“What is it? I can get it for you.” Bethany stood like a mama bear in front of her child, blocking him from my view.

“It’s personal.”

“Well, we have been doing some remodeling, and I moved your things into storage.”

“Remodeling?” I turned for the stairs and she tailed me, the intruder in her home.

“Yes. I moved your things downstairs.” As I sped my pace to try to ditch her, she hustled to keep up. I wanted to see how far she would go to be obnoxious about trailing me.

“Downstairs? Like the basement?” I paused, and she seemed relieved I wouldn’t disturb her precious baby’s naptime.

“Yes. That’s where we store things, Kinsley.”

“With the cat pee?”

A few years ago, she took it upon herself to move my prom dresses and childhood Halloween costumes there. Her cats “accidentally” shredded the fabric and urinated on everything. That smell never left.

When she didn’t respond to me, I sprinted the rest of the way to my room. Opening the door, I gasped. The entire thing was decorated differently. All the walls were a pale blue gingham wallpaper. A white rocking chair sat in the corner and a baby’s crib was set up against the wall where the bed,mybed, had been.

“You’re fucking pregnantagain?”

“This is what happens to married couples, Kinsley. Do I need to explain this to you?”

“Please. We went to high school together,Bethany. I think I know very well how it’s supposed to work. But normally, women don’t havethree fucking childrenbefore the age of twenty-four,prom queen.”

“How dare you judge me! And don’t use that crass language in this house. Junior could hear you.”

I snorted. “This was my house before it was yours.”

She softened. “Kinsley, your father and I love each other very much. I know that it is hard for you to accept, but we do. He’s always wanted more children—”

“He’s always wantedsons.”

“He loves you, Kinsley.” Shoving my shoulder into hers, I tried to move past her to go to the basement. “Your siblings would love to have their big sister in their lives.”

“Fuck you. Those cretins aren’t my siblings.” She smacked me across the face. I almost punched her, but remembered she was pregnant. Despite my hatred of my father’s chosen spouse, I wouldn’t hurt her that way. Instead, I walked quietly down the stairs.

My father was waiting at the bottom, his eyes narrowed behind his glasses. “What in the world is happening? Did you just come over to upset my wife?”

“Hello to you, too, Jeff.”

“Kinsley. I’m your Dad. Call me that.”

“Sure,Dad. Tell yourwifenot to slap me.” Dad raised his eyebrows and looked up the stairs at Bethany behind me. Putting a hand on my shoulder, he led me into his office on the first floor.

“Maybe you should call before you come over. We run a tight ship over here. Not like your mother’s place.”

“At least Mom isn’t a bitch.”

“Kinsley!” He pointed to a chair near his desk. “I can’t have you coming over and yelling and cussing in front of your brothers and sister.” As he sat, he undid another button on his shirt and stretched his neck.

“Brothers now, is it? When were you going to tell me about your next spawn?” I sat with a huff into the winged back chair.

My father sighed heavily. “I know you get jealous, but—”

“I’m not jealous. I’m neglected. Ever since my accident, you gave up on me. You thought you could have some boys to be your progenies instead of your broken, second-rategirl.”

“That is absolutely untrue, Kinsley. I love you. Your mom just couldn’t handle things after the accident. We’ve been over this.”

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