Page 28 of Absolution

I blink. My head feels too full. The kitchen’s a mess. The sink is overflowing. Kyle’s behind a shut door, probably still mad. There are dishes everywhere. Glitter on the floor. I haven’t eaten today. The laundry’s undone. And my mom is dead.

“I said…” Jemma’s voice rises, insistent, and Iris starts stomping in rhythm.

Levi opens the crackers and they spill onto the ground.

“STOP!” I scream.

Everything stills.

Three small faces stare at me, wide-eyed, startled. Levi’s lip quivers. Iris grabs Jemma’s hand.

I cover my mouth, chest heaving.

“I’m… I’m sorry,” I say, backing against the counter. “I didn’t mean… just… please… just give me a minute.”

No one moves. They don’t know what to do with me like this. I don’t know what to do with me like this.

Levi slowly kneels and starts picking up the crackers, not saying anything. Jemma tries to help. Iris stands still, watching me with eyes too old for seven.

This is the part of motherhood they don’t put in the books. The part where love is not enough to keep you from breaking.

Where even joy feels like it’s too much to carry.

Chapter Ten

Kyle

“I’ll talk to my client,” I say into the mic, dragging a hand down my face. “But I doubt he’ll settle.”

Opposing counsel sighs. “Well, rumour is, the courts are reopening for in-person civil hearings.”

I sit up straighter. “Can’t come soon enough. I’m tired of being trapped at home. My house used to feel big, now it’s just loud.”

He gives a tight smile. I add, “You know how it is. My wife says she needs help, but half the time I think what she really needs is a nap and a Xanax.” I chuckle at my own joke.

But the other lawyer doesn’t laugh. Just clears his throat. “Right. I’ll let you go.”

He signs off before I can respond. I blink at the empty screen, confused.

Whatever.

The door slams open and Jemma barrels in, tiara askew and glitter on her cheeks. “Dad! Dad! Mom’s gone!”

I laugh, pulling her onto my lap. “Oh no. Where’d she go, huh?”

She shrugs, like this is serious business.

She probably just went to the garage to cry in peace. I snapped earlier. Again. She didn’t say anything back, but I could see it on her face. And God, the tiara incident, Judge Miller is practically a surrogate uncle. If word got to my dad, I’d never hear the end of it.

I sigh and lift Jemma into my arms as I leave the office. “Alright, let’s go find the queen.”

In the living room, Iris and Levi are standing on tiptoes at the window, eyes glued to the front yard. Their backs are stiff, quiet.

“What’s wrong, bud?” I ask, stepping closer.

Levi turns. “Mom left.”

My stomach drops.

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