Page 5 of Jep

“Utterly?”

“I’m baring my heart and soul, and you’re picking on me?”

“I’m trying to lighten the mood. I’d ask for more details, but I’m guessing you can’t tell me?”

“It’s classified.”

“Of course it is.”

“But I felt strongly about something, and I brought it to my supervisor, who thought I was losing my mind, then I brought it to the assistant director, who?—”

“Hang on, you went above your boss toherboss? That probably wasn’t the best idea.”

“What was I supposed to do? No one was listening to me.”

“Are they listening now?”

“You’re not making me feel any better.”

“I’m your friend, but I’ve raised you since you were ten years old, so I’m kind of a surrogate mom too. That means I have to give it to straight when it’s in your best interest.”

“Youaremy mom. You’re the only real one I’ve ever had.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

“Sarah did the best she knew how to do.”

“Don’t make excuses for her,” Em said as she dodged through a crowd of tourists.

“I’m not making excuses. She and I had a hard upbringing. Not everyone handles trauma the same.”

“You turned out okay.”

“That’s because I dealt with my baggage.”

“She could have too.”

“It’s harder for some people.”

“So youaremaking excuses.”

Carla sighed. “Not to change the subject or anything, but I got another postcard from your sister.”

“That is changing the subject.”

“She’s in Phnom Penh, apparently.”

“What’s she doing in Cambodia?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. It says the same as the others, ‘The world is so big. I wish you could see it.’”

“Charming.”

“You know what I’m going to say.”

“Ihaveforgiven her,” Em said before smiling an apology to a woman she’d bumped into. “That doesn’t mean I have to be impressed that all anyone in my family cares about is themselves.”

---