Music From Another World - Robin Talley Page 0,114
home.”
“Don’t act like you care about me going back.” Tammy reached into the purse on her shoulder, fumbling with the flap. Her eyes filled with tears, but her voice never lost its strength. “I know you don’t want me screwing up your perfect fucking family portrait.”
Aunt Mandy’s smile finally faltered at sound of the word fucking. “Young lady, I don’t know what you—”
“Here. This is what you came for. The only one of my things that matters to you.”
Tammy pulled a small, flat brown object from her purse and tossed it to the ground. Aunt Mandy’s eyes lit up. She stepped forward, bending down to snatch it up in an instant.
The check register.
Tammy was right. Her aunt didn’t come here for her at all.
Now my mother knew about Peter. She knew about Tammy, too. All for nothing.
“Is there some favor you’re expecting in exchange for this?” Aunt Mandy’s smile was slightly warmer than it had been before. It’s possible she was genuinely happy.
“I’m not stupid enough to expect anything from you.” Tammy crossed her arms. Her eyes shone with tears. “All I want is for you to leave me alone. You can consider that a parting gift.”
“I see.” The glee in her aunt’s eyes didn’t lessen. “Your parents will be disappointed you won’t be coming back, but I suppose, if that’s your choice…”
“It is.”
“Well, it may turn out to be a blessing.” Aunt Mandy’s eyes glittered. “Your family should see that soon enough. If they haven’t already.”
“Go to Hell.” Tammy balled both hands into fists.
“Such language you’ve learned in San Francisco.” Aunt Mandy chuckled. “Well, I’ll be on my way. Take care, girls.”
We waited as she walked slowly, casually, away from us, her hurried movements from a short while ago replaced by a light spring in her step.
I understood the full depths of Tammy’s hatred now.
I waited until her aunt had turned the corner and disappeared from sight before I turned back to Tammy. “Are you all right?”
She wiped the last of the tears off her face, her gaze focused on the spot where Mrs. Dale had disappeared. “I honestly don’t know.”
“I’m so sorry.” I wanted to touch her somehow, but I didn’t want to startle her. I settled for laying a few light fingers on her elbow. If she noticed, she didn’t show it. “I tried to catch up to you before she could, but—”
Tammy let out a short laugh. “There was nothing you could’ve done to stop her when she was on a tear like that. We’re lucky we got out alive.”
“I guess.” I rocked back on my heels and took my hand off her arm. I knew she was upset, but I couldn’t help wishing she’d look at me. “Also, um. I should tell you. She came to the house first and talked to Mom. Peter got home, and your aunt was threatening him, and…he told Mom about him. And you.”
Now Tammy did look my way. “What did your mom say?”
“Nothing. I came to find you before she’d answered. She seemed upset, though.”
“Oh.” Tammy turned back to the house. We were halfway down the block, but we could see the front steps, looking the same as ever. There was no hint that a catastrophe had just happened inside. “Then I guess I’d better not go in.”
“I mean…it’s probably all right. She already said you could stay with us.” But I could hear the uncertainty in my words. Mom had said that before she knew.
“I don’t think so. But you should go in. You don’t want to leave your brother alone right now.”
Shit. I should’ve thought of that. “You’re right.”
“Take this with you.” Tammy pulled a notebook out of her purse. It was bent, the spiral bindings coming uncurled. She opened it, ripped out a sheet of paper, and folded it in half. “I wrote it last week, but I chickened out before I could give it to you. This is what I would’ve said at the coffee shop today.”