Page 15 of Flame True

Mulberry placed her hand in Emma’s and sat through Emma’s ministrations. This is normal, she told herself. This is what I’ve been missing.

“Are you going to read again for the part?”

“Yeah. I figure the extra money can’t hurt, and Dad might get serious about cutting me off.”

Mulberry examined her filed, buffed and painted fingernails.

“He’s been threatening that for years. Many parents would cut you off if you didn’t go to school. Your dad wants to cut you off for not acting.”

“I can’t stop saying yes to him. I know that’s my own thing to work on in therapy.” Emma grinned. Mulberry laughed.

Emma carefully painted each of her nails and caught Mulberry up on the friends that were also here, like their friend Liz who was the daughter of the location manager of the series.

“It’d be nice to see her,” Mulberry said. And she realized she wasn’t just pretending. Maybe she was ready to get out and be around people more.

“Anyways, it’s an early call tomorrow. I should get going. You okay here?”

“Yeah, Cassie should be home soon, and the security system is on. Thanks for the manicure.”

“Any time,” Emma squeezed her arm, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “I’ll just call Dylan. It’s a gorgeous house. I’m glad you’re happy.”

Following Emma to the door, Mulberry ran her hand under the framed pictures of her with her parents, aunt and grandparents. “It feels like home.”

“Good, you need to feel safe, Mulberry,” Emma reached out to hug her, and Mulberry returned her embrace, pleased she didn’t flinch at the touch.

Those sessions with Nolan helped a lot. Mulberry felt her cheeks grow hot.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, fine.” Mulberry passed Emma her bag. “Thanks for coming over again.”

“I’m going stir-crazy in the hotel. I don’t know why we didn’t get a rental.” Emma shrugged.

“You can come to stay with us, you know.”

“Thanks,” Emma smiled.

Emma’s phone rang simultaneously as Mulberry’s flashed to the video feed of someone at their gate.

She saw Dylan’s face as he leaned out of the car and waved, and Mulberry pressed the lock on her phone to open the gates in the front of the driveway.

The security system in the palm of her hand made her feel safer.

“See you soon!” Emma called, waving bye.

Mulberry watched her friend get into Dylan’s car, then closed the door behind her and reset the security system, checking it twice.

Checking her watch, she wondered where her aunt was and thought of calling her, but she didn’t want to ruin Cassie’s night, and she did say she’d be late with her friends.

There were three bedrooms upstairs and one on the main floor that Grace had taken.

Wanting to know when her mom was home right away, Mulberry made herself a big bowl of popcorn, took it into the beige and lavender room, flipped on the T.V. and settled in to wait till she wasn’t alone again.

It was the breaking of glass that woke her. Feet stomping through the hall, the sound of wood splitting open. Mulberry shook like a leaf.

No, it can’t happen again, no, no, no.

Her heart pounded in her throat, and she felt sick as she heard more crashing from beyond the bedroom door. They can’t take me again.

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