The Cost of Free Barbecue and the Family Secrets Left Behind
My hand was still deep in my pocket.
My fingers wrapped around the cold, jagged teeth of Juliette’s car keys.
“You want to leave,” I said.
My voice sounded steady, far steadier than I felt inside.
All three of them turned to look at me.
Juliette’s eyes narrowed, her thin lips pressing into a hard line.
“Of course we want to leave,” Juliette said.
“We are clearly not welcome in this house anymore.”
“You were never guests, Juliette,” I said.
“Guests don’t treat a home like a free hotel.”
I slowly pulled my hand out of my pocket.
The brass keys clinked together, the sound sharp and bright in the quiet hallway.
Juliette’s eyes immediately locked onto them.
She took a step toward me, her designer handbag swinging against her hip.
“Give those to me,” she said, reaching out a manicured hand.
Her fingernails were painted a soft, perfect pink.
I pulled my hand back, just out of her reach.
“No,” I said.
“Annie, please,” Dan muttered, rubbing his temples. “Just let her go. I can’t do this tonight.”
“She can go,” I said, looking directly at Dan.