Page 40 of Ivy's Venom

"Really?" She sounds shocked and somewhat hopeful. I know I'll have to cut her off later but right now I want to cause a little chaos in Officer Van Dyke's life.

The ride to Molly's is excruciating. She drones on and on about how she's getting her braces off next year and that she's going to get a car, oh! And also she's convincing her dad to get her a cat. She told me her mother is leaving and moving to Toronto with her parents, so she'll be the only woman in the house. Her dad and her brother ignore her and she's going to be so bored.

"Do you think you'll want to come over and bake?" She squeals. "Like we used to do?"

This is not worth it. "That was an Easy Bake oven, Molly." I huff.

"Well, I learned how to bake with the big oven, I'll teach you, too." She claps. Fucking stab me, someone.

I pull into her driveway and sure enough, there's a moving van. Molly once again deflates and I watch as large tear drops run down her cheeks.

"Hey," I say to her. "I'll come with you inside."

"Okay." She nods.

As soon as we step out of the car, I can hear the shouts. It's a wonder neighbours aren't out watching the drama unfold. We step around the van and I see Mrs. Van Dyke rolling a suitcase behind her.

"I will see you in Hell, Adam!" She screeches and then stops short when she sees Molly and me.

"Ivy Greene?"

"Hi, Mrs. Van Dyke." I give a little wave.

"Molly sweetie, I will be by on the weekend and we will go out for Froyo." Then she pushes past us and towards the van.

"Sandra!" Adam steps to the porch, "if you leave now, don't you ever come back."

His eyes land on me and I watch as the fucker pales. I toss him a grin and then run to Sandra, helping her lift the suitcase to the van. She smiles at me appreciatively.

"Don't ever get married, Ivy. Men are pigs."

"Apparently, so are cops." I retort and she bursts out laughing.

"What are you two talking about?" Adam demands suddenly behind us.

"Daddy, leave Ivy alone." Molly whines.

"Talking about how men are pigs." I tell him and Sandra snorts. "It's a shame you ruined a perfectly good family." I tsk and Sandra hums behind me.

"You don't know what's going on." Adam snarls.

"Oh no?" I bat my eyes and watch as he pales further. "I'm sure I could figure it out."

He takes a menacing step towards me, a growl escaping his lips.

"Adam!" Sandra steps between us, "what are you doing?"

"Nothing." He begins to look shameful.

"Yikes," I heavy my tone with sarcasm. "I better get out of here." I walk towards my car and look back at Molly, "see you at school."

She nods but she's too engrossed in yet another screaming match her parents are having. This just made my day.

"I love you, Ivy." She sobs as her tears drip off her chin and soak her shirt. "I fucking love you!" Her fist hits the steering wheel.

"Listen," I touch her arm and she shrugs me off. "Can we talk about this another time?" My fucking Grandma just died!

"No!" She screams and the shrill noise startles me.

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