**8**
They bought me a ticket to a city called South Mountain and told me a car would pick me
up in three days. Three days later was supposed to be Caleb’s parent–teacher conference.
I had originally planned to go; I thought it was his first conference, and I’d go even if it meant defying Julian. But now, there was no need.
For some reason, my health had been worsening these past few days. On the first day, Julian came. He seemed pleased with my decision yesterday.
As if to reward me, he even took off his clothes, intending to kiss me. I saw the kiss
marks on his neck–from someone else–and a bitter ache spread through my chest. Without warning, a mouthful of blood suddenly rose in my throat.
Julian asked why I wasn’t speaking. I forced a smile and swallowed the blood down. “I’m
on my period.”
Julian shrugged. For some reason, I felt he was relieved too. He lit a cigarette and then took my hand. “Mia, you need to be good here.”
“We can’t compare to the Celeste family. Some things, just bear with it, and they’ll be over
soon.”
“He’s your son, after all.”
I remained silent. He blew out a smoke ring. “How about I take you and Caleb out next
weekend?”
I looked
- up.
“I want to go back to the town.”
“To South Mountain, the place you always wanted to go…”
“I want to see the magnolia blossoms.”
“After I’m done with things here…”
“Okay”
