Page 63 of Emerald Moon
“And if mom’s saying some ugly stuff, don’t worry about it.Grandma said your date is a ‘handsome woman,’ so anything nasty mom has to say has been overruled.”
Despite themself, Jo puffed out a laugh.“Thanks.Grandma really said that?”
June nodded.“Cross my heart.She totally said it.Glad to know our entire family isn’t close-minded.”
”Sometimes people surprise you in good ways.”
”I’m just happy to see you happy.”June’s new husband waved to her from across the room, beckoning her over.“Come and find me again before you two leave for the night, okay?”
”Will do.Promise.”
As June walked away, Jo searched the room for a place to sit where they wouldn’t have to small talk with anyone.They ended up pulling a chair away from a table and dragging it to a nearby corner, feeling like a child facing punishment.
When Cass came back inside, she played the role of a doting girlfriend again just like before, but Jo’s stomach was in knots.This was different.Cass meant it.She’d always meant it, but now they knew.It changed how Jo saw the entire weekend.The comfort and warmth evaporated and they were left confused, guilty, and angry at themselves.
Cass didn’t try to hold their hand again.Jo tried not to think about that too much.
“Are you happy stealing the attention from your sister with this little stunt?”
When they were feeling their worst was, of course, when their mother finally cornered them.They were alone, standing outside the bathroom and wondering what to say to Cass.
“I don’t know what you’re going on about.”Jo looked for the exit.Not only were they already not feeling their best today, but now they had everything with Cass, and this was the last thing they wanted to deal with.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.People are whispering about you, Jolene.Your family.”
“Not everyone is bothered by it.”
“Well, they should be.You keep acting like you think you know what you want, but you have no idea.You never have.You just wander from one thing to the next without thinking about your future or the consequences of what you’ve done.”
Jo’s senses began to sharpen.The music became louder, voices clearer.They could smell everyone’s perfume at once.The hairs on the arm stood on end.Jo didn’t need this either.“I like my choices.”
“That makes one of us, then.”
Their wolf was crawling towards the surface.Jo steadied their breathing and, through sheer spite and determination, managed to smother the feeling until it was a dull ache.It took the last bit of energy Jo had.Their mother opened her mouth to speak, but Jo didn’t let her.“If you never have anything nice to say, maybe stop talking to me at all.”
Jo stood up straight and squared their shoulders.Adrenaline pumped through their body.“I don’t like talking to you.Can you even remember the last time you weren’t criticizing me or pushing me to do something I don’t want to do, or accusing me of something stupid?”
“You know that’s not what I’m doing.”
“Yes it is!Every time.Don’t you remember how you used to be?It wasn’t like this when dad was still alive!”Jo had done it.They’d said aloud what all three of them thought but never voiced.Their words hung in the air, echoing as they bounced around in Jo’s mind.It hurt to say it.It was so much easier to just be angry at their mother than admit they were still hurting, too.
She stood there, lips parted, saying nothing.
Jo filled the tense silence.“You know I’m right.Everything is different now.You’re different now.Hell, I’m different than I was then, too, but at least I’m not trying to antagonize everyone every chance I get.Just — you know what?I’m done.Don’t call me unless you want to have a real conversation.A nice one.”
”I say what I say because I care!”
”That’s not a great way to show it, mom.”Jo closed their eyes and heaved out a sigh.“I said I’m done and I meant it.Don’t call me until you’ve thought about who you want us to be to each other.”
Jo turned and walked away, heart pounding.They scanned the room for Cass, finding her just in time.They could feel tears stinging the back of their eyes.They weren’t sad.Just overwhelmed — and shocked that they could even say those things.
Weaving through the thinning crowd towards Cass, Jo could feel their resolve crumbling.They had to get out of here without melting down after what just happened.
They locked eyes and Jo stopped in front of her.“We need to go.”Hearing how harsh that sounded, Jo tried again.“I think now might be a good time to leave.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes and no.I just want to find my sister and get out of here.”
