Page 147 of Dark Endures

“That’s what guys are good for.” She turns to me. “You must be Mindy. Everyone seems to be talking about you lately.”

That definitely isn’t good.

“Except for my cousin. He seems decidedly quiet. Why is that?”

Um. How should I know? “He doesn’t like being beaten at chess.” I shrug.

“You beat Maddox at chess? Dyce bursts out laughing. “He hasn’t lost in years and years. No wonder why—"

My shiny new phone rings. Winnie gave me some wild excuse about it being shattered into a million pieces that I didn’t believe when she handed this to me. “One second. I’ve got to take this.”

“Hi, Mom.”

“Mindy, sweetheart, is that really you?”

“Yes, Mom. I had a bit of a cold.”

“I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks.”

Obviously not by calling me. Because I don’t have any missed calls from her number. And this one isn’t glitchy like the old one. “What’s going on?”

“Did you move? I went to your address on 9th.”

Only six times since I lived there. “Yes, Mom.”

“Well, why didn’t you give me your new address?”

I did every time, well, except this one, since it’s just temporary. “Sorry about that, Mom.”

“As you should be. It’s very important that a mother knows where her daughter is. Especially at moments like this.”

Uh oh. Has she had another big breakup? I don’t know if I have the energy to pull her together.

“I need you to meet me at the address I’m sending you as soon as possible.”

“Mom, now—”

“Mindy, I need you.”

“Fine, I’m leaving now.”

“Put a brush through your hair before you come. You know how it upsets me to see you looking all messy.”

“Mom—”

“Is it too much for a mother to want her daughter to look presentable at all times? People judge you on how you look, and I always want the world to see my beautiful, intelligent daughter. Not a mess.”

Who does she want me to meet? “I’ll go change.”

“Good, now hurry up. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Perish the thought she might have to wait a minute for me. It’s so tempting to ignore her and go back to talking to my friends. But she’s still my mother. I turn around and face them. “Sorry. I’ve got to go.”

“Now?” Dahlia asks?

“Yeah. It’s important. It was nice meeting you, Dyce. We’ll have to get together again soon.” I run off to change. Thankfully, Winnie stocked my closet with clothing that my mom will find acceptable. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Sometime soon, I need to get my stuff from Adonis’ place.

A shudder runs through me at the thought.

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