Page 104 of Skalterra By Nightmare
“It’s from Linsey Harper’s front porch.” Gams smirked at me.
“Linsey’s—oh.”
“Yeah.”
“Has Wren seen it?”
“She’s standing right here. Say hi, Wren.”
“Hi, Mom,” I mumbled.
“Oh, god. Wren, look. I’m sorry,” Mom gushed. “I flew off the handle a little bit, I’ll admit, but I never meant to embarrass you.”
“I’m not embarrassed.” I crossed my arms and stared at Gams. “I don’t care what Linsey thinks about us. I care about your books.”
Mom laughed again, and Jonquil jumped up onto the counter to bat at the phone.
“I promise the sort of readers checking out my books do not care about me breaking a couple of tacky flamingos. This is free marketing. It actually explains the bump in sales I’ve had today.”
“You got sprinklered,” I said. “Because of me.”
“I got sprinklered because Linsey’s mother is a nasty, old bat and her daughter is no better. They’re lucky I don’t write them into my next book just to kill them off.”
“But—”
“Check the comments, Wren.” Mom sounded exasperated. “I promise, I’ll be okay.”
I hesitated, still staring at Gams. She nodded at the phone in my hand, and I scowled as I reopened Linsey’s video.
“TurtleLauncher47 says it’s a publicity stunt,” I said, scrolling through the comments. “And some guy named Cliff doesn’t like your robe.”
“Cliff is jealous,” Mom sniffed. “What else?”
Each rude comment made my heart sink lower, calling Mom all sorts of nasty names, but Mom was right. Most of the commenters seemed to be on her side, or, like TurtleLauncher47, thought it was fake.
“This one says she knows a momma bear when she sees one and that you should’ve broken the ugly fountain next to the porch too.” I frowned. “I hate that phrase. ‘Momma bear’.”
“I had my eye on that fountain,” Mom admitted. “I thought about going back for it until I was halfway home.”
“I don’t want you risking your career for me!” I asserted. “Or getting arrested!”
“Teresa wouldn’t dare call the cops,” Mom snorted. “Not when she knows her own kid is guilty of worse. Call it an unspoken agreement. You don’t press charges against Linsey, they don’t press charges against me, and none of us have to ever see each other again.”
I leaned against the shelf full of blue chickens, and ran my hand over my eyes.
“Yeah. Fine, Mom.” Europe had never felt so far away. I needed her here to tell me it was okay. I needed to see her face to know she wasn’t lying.
“I have to go get ready for my next event, but I don’t want you thinking about that video anymore. And block Linsey Harper’s number. I don’t know why you still have it,” she said.“I love you, Wren.”
“Love you too.”
Gams ended the call and gave me a smug look.
“Your mother can take care of herself.” She stepped forward to wrap me in her arms. I set my chin on top of her white-haired head and tried to still my hammering heart. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about those posters.”
I pushed away and shook my head.
“I was trying to help,” I said.
