Page 108 of Dark, Forbidden, & Taboo

She’s still alive and that’s what should matter, but I can’t let this go unpunished.

I take a deep breath as I get to my feet and walk toward the doorway. She’ll have to pass the living room to get to her bedroom and I’m going to make sure that she knows she’s been caught in the act.

I listen silently as her footsteps shuffle along the floor, then when I know she’s mere inches away from where I’m standing, I reach for the light switch on the wall next to me and flip it.

Ava gasps as the living room becomes flush with light. I cross my arms over my chest as I struggle to find the words.

I have to make her understand how disappointed I am in her actions, but I also have to be careful how I say it.

I don’t know if I said something earlier that caused her to sneak out, and it’s the only thing staying my hand at the moment.

“Aunt Celeste?—”

I raise a hand to cut her off as she begins to wring her hands nervously, her face turning crimson.

In shame?

In embarrassment?

Or maybe her actions are a reflection of the defeat she’s probably feeling now that she’s been caught?

“You’re grounded for a month,” I finally manage to say in a steady tone.

I don’t want my voice to reflect the absolute rage that I’m starting to feel again at her deception, because then she’ll become just as angry, and we’ll wake up the entire neighborhood screaming at each other until the other one gives.

“Go to your room. We’ll talk about this in the morning, which if you haven’t noticed, is in a few hours.”

I finish the conversation in an even enough tone to let her know that I won’t be entertaining any excuses she may be trying to fabricate.

And it also warns her that I won’t be accepting lies at the breakfast table either.

“But –”

“Go to sleep, Ava!” I shout at her in frustration.

Her face crumples and tears immediately begin to roll down her cheeks. She puts her hands to her face and runs to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Turning the light off, I shake my head as I leave the living room and decide that maybe it won’t be so hard to sleep now that she’s home.

___

Ava quietly setsa plate of scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, and bacon down in front of me before she sits down at the other end of the table.

Normally, she doesn’t cook this big of a breakfast because she doesn’t usually finish her meals, however, I think the reason she may have done this is to give us time to talk about her little disappearing act last night.

I reach for the cloth napkin and give it a quick whip, before laying it on my lap and smoothing it in place.

Without a word, I reach for my knife and fork and cut a small section off one of the pancakes, then place it in my mouth and raise my eyes toward Little Miss Defiance.

When she steals a glance up at me, she can tell that I’m still plenty angry from the night before, and she slumps down a little in her chair.

I clear my throat as I cut away another piece and pop it into my mouth, enjoying the silence between us for the time being.

What Ava doesn’t seem to understand though, is that I’m giving her the opportunity to explain herself without me having to ask any questions.

I reach for my cup of coffee, raise it to my lips, then take a sip. I keep my eyes trained on her as I set the cup back down on the table, then reach for my fork again.

This girl is acting much more dense than she really is, and it’s starting to make me angry all over again.

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