VERA
"Mom? Sharon said you wanted to see me," I said, my face breaking into a smile. "Mom! I did it! I finally got-"
My mother, who had been standing with her back to me, wheeled around.
"Are you a fool, Vera?" she hissed, angry. "Shut the door first!"
My eyes widened in surprise at her tone.
Like she always urged me to do, I had taken initiative this time, and I'd put Emma in a situation she couldn't possibly come out from. We should have been celebrating together.
So why was my mother looking at me like I was a disappointment?
"I don't understand, Mum," I said slowly as I closed the door. "Why does it seem you're angry with me?"
She didn't reply for a long moment. Finally, she asked, "What were you about to do before I sent for you?"
I stared at her. It felt like a tricky question one where you ended up wrong either way.
"I was about to go to bed. It's been a long day and—"
