Page 50 of Truly, Darkly, Deeply

‘I said, go to your room. And don’t you dare take the Lord’s name in vain.’

Anger flashed through me, white and hot.

‘Maybe you don’t love him any more, but I do. He’s the closest thing I have to a father.’

‘Well, he’s not your father. And he’s not my husband either.’

‘Easy to see why.’

She flushed.

‘Your room. Now. I’m not telling you again.’

The chasm created by Matty’s absence had been filled with his return. But the crack spreading between me and my mother was gaping wide.