Samantha didn’t get home until six that night. Jaymi had dinner without her, a leftover slice pizza that she only ate half of. She had been happy her mother was getting out, but upset because she wanted to tell Samantha about the party she was going to. About how she promised not to drink. How she got Curtis to agree not to too. She thought Samantha would be happy that she was making friends and being responsible about it. Jaymi wanted her mother’s advice. She wanted her mother’s approval above all else.

She thought, imitating her mother’s voice in her mind, we won’t be long peaches. Love you. Then in her own voice, liar. She was heading up to her room to shower when her mother finally got home and Harvey was with her. Great.