Page 71 of Detour

A breeze picks up, blowing rain-infused strands across my face, and the reminder of the earlier downpour makes me regret ever leaving the lookout. So much for fresh starts after rainstorms.

“Hey, Ang.” I flinch at her preferred pet name. “Nice place you got here.”

She straightens from the car and I pick up the pace, meeting her away from the others.

“What are you doing here?”

“I can’t visit my daughter?” She holds her hands out feigning innocence and I’m guessing that’s not all her hand is out for. She wouldn’t risk a public scene unless she was desperate. I just need to get her inside, away from…everything.

I vaguely hear car doors slamming shut over the blood rushing to my ears.

“Are we playing the loving mother now? And I’m supposed to be the gracious hostess? Fine.” I start forward. “Let’s go.”

“I don’t know, I’m liking the view much better now.”

Spinning on my heel, I watch as she locks eyes with Coty. He stands tall, his friends joining him between their cars.

No.

“You’re more like me than I thought,” she muses as her greedy gaze devours everyone in sight.

No.

“Angela?”

I snap my eyes shut, willing him to leave.

“Who are your friends?”

They fly open to find Coty standing at my back, too close. His gaze meets mine and he frowns. Coming up behind him are the rest of his trio.

I’m out of time.

With as much venom as I can muster, I say, “Nobody. Just nosey neighbors.”

Coty’s nostrils flare. I ignore him and the tightness in my chest to face my mother again.

“Hmmm. I’m not sure I believe that.”

“I don’t care what you believe. Let’s go upstairs. I’ll get you what you came for.” The sooner she’s paid, the sooner she leaves. All of us.

“Neighbor girl? What’s going on here?”

Just enjoying a family reunion, can’t you tell? “None of your business.” I clench my fists, then cross my arms over my chest to hide the shaking.

“Oh, let me guess, she plays the pitiful, neglected card and you think you can save her?” She’s staring at Coty but lets her gaze drift to the others. “It won’t work. I should know, some things aren’t worth the effort.” Her eyes land on mine, making her point clear.

“The fuck?” I hear behind me but I don’t dare look their way.

“Just like I thought.” She laughs maliciously. “Seems like they’re more than just neighbors to me, Ang.” I grind my teeth as she makes a show of scanning the lot. “Where’s that Jeep of yours? Don’t tell me you had to sell it to make rent already? Or are they helping with that?” She jerks her head at the boys now forming a circle at my back.

I step forward, away from the safety they’re trying to provide. “I don’t need a man to pay my way actually. I have something called a job. A foreign concept to someone like you, but a necessity for people like me.”

“Sure,” she scoffs. “Tell me, how’s that corrupt boss treating you these days?” When my eyes widen, she laughs. Lips curled, her eyes run the length of me, sneering, “Like I said, no better than me.”

“Yeah, well, a mistake born from a mistake, right?”

“If the shoe fits.” She smirks, a cruel reminder of the day I came home in tears from being teased.