Page 64 of Such Sharp Teeth

“It’s your sister’s shower,” Mom says. “For fuck’s sake, have a piece of cake.”

I can smell it. Sugary. Lemony. Gross. I want steak. Or a burger. Rare. Juicy. The thought alone has me drooling.

“No, thank you,” I say, wiping saliva from my bottom lip and ignoring my mother’s death stare. I forget Scarlett isn’t the originator of that stare. Mom is.

At around four o’clock, people start trickling out, until it’s only me, Mom, Scarlett, Ash and Joann.

“Did you invite her?” I ask Ash when the two of us are alone at the mimosa bar, which is now just an array of empty bottles.

“No,” she says. “Cyndi.”

“I’m so mad, I can’t see straight.”

“I understand,” Ash says, patting my hand. “But it turned out fine. Scarlett had a good time, right?”

I can’t tell if the anger is for Scarlett, on her behalf, or if it’s for me. It’s just there, hovering like a radioactive cloud.

“I should load the car,” Mom says.

“We’ll help,” Ash says, volunteering me.

I lift the crib box with one arm.

“Careful. That’s heavy,” Joann says.

“Not for me.” I take the stroller with my free hand.

“Damn,” Ash says.

I load as much as I can into Scarlett’s Prius and the rest into my car.

“Why doesn’t Mom go with you?” Scarlett says, putting her bag down in the passenger seat. “I don’t really have room.”

“All right,” I say. “Cyndi, you’re with me.”

“I was going to hang back and help Ashley clean up,” Mom says.

“Oh, no worries,” Ash says. “I like to clean. It’s my me time.”

“Ash, I love you, but that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard,” I say.

“Aurora!” Mom squeals.

“I’m taking you out drinking. A proper night out,” I tell Ash. I give her a hug. “Thank you for everything.”

“Of course,” she says.

I get in the car without acknowledging Joann. I wait for Mom to say her goodbyes, though I am tempted to drive away without her.

She starts in as soon as she gets in the car.

“See? She had a lovely time.”

I turn the music up loud.

She turns it down.

“You were rude to Joann.”