Behind us, Carol’s voice changed. The softness was gone now.
“She’ll regret staying with you.”
I turned back. “No. You already lost.”
Carol looked at Ellie instead of me. “You have no idea what your mother is really like.”
Ellie swallowed. “I know enough now.”
Carol’s mouth thinned. “She kept you from family.”
“You tried to steal me,” Ellie said.
“She’ll regret staying with you.”
For once, Carol had nothing polished ready to throw back.
I put a hand lightly on Ellie’s shoulder. “Come on.”
We walked back to the car together. The neighbors across the road were standing on the porch, watching us, speaking to each other in low voices, but I ignored them.
She got into the car without a word.
I drove for almost a full minute before she spoke.
We walked back to the car together.
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