Chapter 6 - The Paperwork on the Counter
My mother stood up slowly, walked to the kitchen counter, and picked up a thick manila folder.
She set it down beside my water glass.
Inside were printed pages of medical records from my teenage years, signed statements from doctors, and old police incident reports detailing my supposed adolescent instability.
“What is this?” I asked, my blood running cold.
“Your promotion requires a background check and security clearance,” my mother said smoothly, taking a sip of her wine. “We received a call from your firm’s vetting investigator yesterday asking about your history.”
I stared at her. “You sent them this?”
“I told them the truth,” my mother replied without flinching. “That you have a history of severe psychological episodes and unmanaged hostility toward family members. A mother has an ethical duty to be honest.”
Jessica laughed from across the table. “You really thought you could just walk away and pretend you’re normal?”
Rage, hot and clean, burned through the shock.
I picked up the manila folder, stood up from the table, and walked toward the hallway. “I’m leaving. And if you ever contact my employer again, I will file a restraining order.”
My mother’s face hardened. “You won’t do anything of the sort.”
May you like
I ran up the stairs to my old bedroom to grab my coat and purse, which I had left on the bed.
I didn't notice Jessica following right behind me until I reached the center of the room.
