“Muck.” I’ve heard people say fuck before. Guys say it at school constantly, but...

Her forehead wrinkles. “What?”

“You should use muck instead. You’re a...grandmother...” and the words fall off because they sound stupid.

She cackles. Like a witch. Head thrown back and everything. I shrink farther into the chair and will my phone to ring or my dad to show. Why is it taking so long for him to find me?

“Muck. I’ll remember it. Back to the conversation. I don’t regret what Eli sent.” She sucks in one more draw before dropping the cigarette into the mug. It sizzles in the liquid. “I’m meeting you.”

Simultaneous buzzing. My phone vibrates against the palm of my hand. Eli yanks his phone out of his back pocket. Too bad he didn’t answer it last night. He could have saved us from this terrible torment.

We both accept the calls. “Hi, Mom.”

“Are you okay, baby?” She sounds close to hysterics. I regret leaving the message while sobbing like a lunatic.

“Yes. I’m fine. Just freaked.” Nothing a lifetime of therapy won’t fix.

Mom rattles on and I tune her out while listening for key words that indicate I should speak. I’m more interested in Eli’s conversation.

“I know.” Eli rubs his forehead. “Jeff...” It’s my dad. “Hear me out.”

From the silence on Eli’s end, it’s obvious Dad’s in no mood to listen, and I wonder why he’s not in here talking to Eli face-to-face. Mom pauses. “Em?”

Crap, caught not listening. “I’m here.”

“I said you need to leave. Right now. Walk out the door, do you understand?”

A twinge of panic strangles my heart when I look out the office’s window. Two men guard the door. These guys weren’t present before. At least I don’t think they were. They aren’t laughing or carrying on like everyone else in the hallway. Their backs are to us and their spines are arrow-straight. But what causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end is how they turn their heads to observe the crowd as if they’re expecting something...or someone.

“Where’s Dad?” I ask Mom.

“Outside,” she answers. “He’s outside and he can’t get in. Eli won’t stop you, honey. He’s capable of a lot of things, but he’ll let you go. Do it now, Emily. Leave.”

Eli runs a hand over his face as he continues his conversation with Dad. “That’s not necessary. There’s no reason to change those plans. Emily is fine. A little shaken up, but she doesn’t need to go home.”

He opens the door and snaps his fingers at the two huge men. Both wear the same black vest as Eli. “Emily’s dad is at the front entrance. I told someone to get him in here. I won’t ask nicely again.”

Eli closes the door then returns to talking to Dad. “They’re going to let you in. Give me your word that she can visit with my mother. Not here, though. Somewhere...quieter.”

“No.” Olivia’s eyes widen and she touches Eli’s arm. “You promised.”

Eli gives his head a small shake. Olivia pivots in my direction. “Tell Meg to let you stay.” Her voice rises with each syllable. “Tell her you want to meet your family. Tell her you want to spend time with me. With your father!”

“Tell her?” My forehead furrows. I don’t tell my mom what to do. It’s Mom.

“Tell me what?” Mom asks.

“Olivia wants me to tell you that I should stay.”

“No.” Mom grows suddenly firm. “Leave now.”

“Thanks for the reminder!” Eli smacks his hand on the wall. A corkboard tacked up beside him crashes to the floor. I jump with the impact and draw myself in, wishing I could disappear.

I don’t know these people and they don’t know me and my dad’s outside and not inside and these people could have tempers and they could hurt me and...

“I’m aware I have no rights to my daughter,” Eli snaps. “I’m the one who signed the damn papers!”

“Baby,” Mom says in my ear. “Say goodbye to Eli and leave. The cab is waiting.”

“Okay.” I focus on my shoes. I never want to wear them again. “I’ll see you soon.”

Even though Mom’s still talking, I end the call and drop the phone to my lap. Eli, on the other hand...

“No, Jeff. Let her stay... No. No.” He opens his mouth to speak again and then lowers the phone to look at the screen. “Fuck!”

I flinch with the anger shaking out of his body and Eli swears again under his breath when he notices. “Dammit, I mean...I’m sorry, Emily.”

“It’s okay.” I comb my fingers through my hair and pretend to be interested in the strands. Mom said Dad’s outside and I’m going to ignore any reason for why he can’t make it in. It’s not because I’m trapped here. It’s not because these people are trying to force something I don’t want.

This is okay and I’m going to be okay. Deep breaths in. Long breaths out.

“Call her back,” Olivia says to me. “Call Meg back and tell her you’re staying.”

My hands tremble as I pick up my purse and slip my phone into the pocket. “She told me to leave.”

“Do you always do what you’re told?”

I cling tighter to the handles on my bag. My mom told me to come home. Home. A place that is safe and familiar and nothing like this insanity. This place is scary and confusing and... “She’s my mom.”