Page 39 of All I Ask
“What?” she asks.
“I’m curious what you’re trying to find out, since you knew who Derek was.”
“I wanted to see what you’d say.”
“What else did Grandma inform you of?”
Chastity shrugs and puts her bowl down. “She was just giddy to tell me juicy info about you.”
“I’m sure she was. She’s also a pathological liar.”
My daughter laughs and rolls her eyes. “Yeah, okay.”
“I used to like you.”
“You still do. Also, you suck as a liar.”
I’d like to flip her off but that would be inappropriate. “Back to the conversation. What did Grandma tell you?”
“She said you two were in love but too stupid to see it. Oh, and she was not happy that he was back either. She kept saying something about your head in the clouds and now you’d end up floating away.”
Why my mother disapproves of him, I’ll never know.
Derek volunteered with his father, caring for animals and doing other good deeds while I was making out with Keith under the bleachers.
“What the hell does that even mean?”
“She also thinks that if I have to spend time around him, that I would like him much more than you.”
I laugh. “Well, that’s interesting.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s true.”
She smiles. “Well, I’ll let you know the verdict after I’m done working with Dr. Hartz.”
“They’re both Dr. Hartz,” I inform her.
“He’s a vet too?”
“Yup.”
“Great, now if I defend myself when his awful daughter is being a bi—” She catches herself. “Big mean person, I won’t get to work with the animals.” I see the disappointment in her eyes.
I touch her cheek. “You’ll find a way to be nice.”
“I am nice! It’s her! I just want to be around the animals. They’re not cruel and don’t make fun of me, or say stupid things. The cat walks around being a cat and the pig doesn’t care that the other pig is fatter than him. It’s why I want to be homeschooled!”
“It’s a good thing that you’re not a cat or pig.”
“Yeah, god forbid I get to be happy.”
I’ve never seen her be so unforgiving, but clearly Everly has gotten under her skin. Much like Everly’s father is under mine.
“Happiness is overrated, babe. Best learn it early in life. Now, go to school and be a human—a nice one.”
***
