Page 110 of A Lot Like Adiós
Michelle:
But in this episode they figure out it’s not what they thought it was.
Gabe:
So they go to confront Zack’s mother.
Michelle:
After hiding the device, because they might need it later.
Gabe:
Right. And Zack gives up the mission.
Michelle:
But there’s still more work to be done.
Gabe:
Doesn’t matter. He’s been betrayed and used. He thought there was a greater reason for why his life and his parents sucked, but there isn’t. Some people are just horrible.
Michelle:
That’s a bleak outlook.
Gabe:
Power corrupts. And Zack doesn’t want any part of his family’s power plays anymore. He’s out.
Chapter 24
Late the next day, Michelle woke slightly hungover in her mom’s craft room. Ava and Jasmine had spent the night, and they’d shared the bed in what Michelle now thought of as “Gabe’s room.”
That was stupid, though. It was the guest room. He’d been a guest and he’d stayed in the guest room and now he was gone. It was still just the guest room.
Jezebel was draped over Michelle’s shoulder like a living feather boa, emitting soft kitty snores. Because Michelle wanted to cry, she pressed her face into Jezebel’s fur. The cat purred, then stretched and rolled over. She climbed onto Michelle’s belly and started making biscuits.
Michelle’s chest rumbled with a laugh as she shifted away. “Jez, that tickles.”
The cat curled up in the warm sheets and closed her eyes, still purring.
Michelle gave her ears a scratch. “At least I still have you, mamita.”
Even though she felt a little unsteady, she climbed out of bed. After a visit to the bathroom, she forced herself to go downstairs.
Ava and Jasmine were already in the kitchen. The secondMichelle entered the room, Ava popped up from where she and Jasmine sat at the table drinking coffee.
“I’ll make you tea,” Ava said. “Have a seat.”
Michelle sank into the chair next to Jasmine and groaned. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.”
Jasmine passed her the mug. “Have some. It’ll help.”
“Thanks.” Michelle took a sip and closed her eyes, savoring the taste of rich, dark coffee. It was strong, the way Jasmine liked it. She passed the mug back. “You let me sleep late.”
“We figured you needed it,” Jasmine said. “Your dad is downstairs playing video games and your mom is out shopping with my mom.”
