of shit?”
“Yeah, but what if-”
“Rose, you’re just going to get your hopes up, only to discover they’re a bunch of lunatics.”
“You don’t know that. It might be worth a look-”
My father’s eyes darted across my face and I knew he was trying to read my expression.
“ Why do you want to be around more of those … things anyway?”
“Well it was Mom who searched for them, so obviously she thinks it’s a good idea-”
“Don’t put words into my mouth, Rose Elaine Goldman,” my mother said as she stormed into the room. She only ever used my middle name when she was particularly angry.
“But you gave me the location of that community for a reason!” I flared up at once.
“That’s where she was running off to with that teacher,” my mother said to my father. “That’s why she still wants to go. She thinks he’s there. Perhaps we should call the police and tip them off about his potential whereabouts.”
“What? No!” I jumped to my feet. The likelihood of Tom being in Silver Moon Forest, Alaska was slim to none. “That’s got nothing to do with it. Tom won’t be there.”
“Then why ? Why would you want to go there?” My mother crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.
“I just think they might be able to help me … understand my condition. Perhaps they have methods, or ways of dealing with the full moon. They could take care of me, because – let’s face it – you are completely incapable of doing so.”
“We’ve looked after you for eighteen years!” My mother snapped. “Honestly! You are the most ungrateful, selfish little girl-”
“No, Mom,” I said in a strangely calm voice. “You looked after me for nine years - The nine years I existed before the werewolf attack-”
“Don’t say that word!” my mother interrupted.
“- and after that you simply put up with me,” I continued. “I know you’re ashamed that you have a werewolf for a daughter-”
“ Don’t. Say. That . W-” My mother hissed, exaggerating each individual word.
“What? Werewolf ?” I said loudly. Nurses passing in the hall glanced nervously into the room. “Your little girl is a god-damn werewolf, Mom. It’s about time you accepted that because it’s not going to change. Don’t you think I’ve noticed over the years how you hold your breath when you’re close to me so you don’t have to smell the stink of dog on my skin? And that look of disgust you get on your face when I’m about to change. Admit it. You’d rather I’d died in that attack, rather than be burdened with a monster for a daughter-”
I must have pushed my mother too far, because she drew her hand back and slapped me hard across the face. She was breathing heavily, tears brimming her eyes. I held my cheek and stared at her.
The hospital ward was si lent for several seconds and nobody moved. Clearing her throat and straightening her skirt, my mother composed her expression into one of polite indifference.
“Perhaps you’re right – maybe it would be best if you moved to Alaska. You can live with your father in California until then. Do not bother coming to my house. You are not welcome there.” And with that my mother turned on her heel and swept from the room.
I stared after her before turning to my father who remained in his chair, apparently shell-shocked.
“Well,” I said, dropping my hands to my side and ignoring my stinging cheek. “Looks like I’m staying with you.”
Chapter Twelve
My father hauled my suitcase over the threshold of his two bedroom town-house in Oakland, California. I’d never visited the state before and didn’t intend on staying long.
“Welcome to my humble abode. Sorry it’s a bit of a mess. Boxes everywhere. Haven’t finished unpacking, of course.”
It looked as though he hadn’t even started unpacking. My father had only been here for a couple of weeks, but it seemed as if he’d barely been here at all. Probably spent all of his time at the
“Yeah, but what if-”
“Rose, you’re just going to get your hopes up, only to discover they’re a bunch of lunatics.”
“You don’t know that. It might be worth a look-”
My father’s eyes darted across my face and I knew he was trying to read my expression.
“ Why do you want to be around more of those … things anyway?”
“Well it was Mom who searched for them, so obviously she thinks it’s a good idea-”
“Don’t put words into my mouth, Rose Elaine Goldman,” my mother said as she stormed into the room. She only ever used my middle name when she was particularly angry.
“But you gave me the location of that community for a reason!” I flared up at once.
“That’s where she was running off to with that teacher,” my mother said to my father. “That’s why she still wants to go. She thinks he’s there. Perhaps we should call the police and tip them off about his potential whereabouts.”
“What? No!” I jumped to my feet. The likelihood of Tom being in Silver Moon Forest, Alaska was slim to none. “That’s got nothing to do with it. Tom won’t be there.”
“Then why ? Why would you want to go there?” My mother crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.
“I just think they might be able to help me … understand my condition. Perhaps they have methods, or ways of dealing with the full moon. They could take care of me, because – let’s face it – you are completely incapable of doing so.”
“We’ve looked after you for eighteen years!” My mother snapped. “Honestly! You are the most ungrateful, selfish little girl-”
“No, Mom,” I said in a strangely calm voice. “You looked after me for nine years - The nine years I existed before the werewolf attack-”
“Don’t say that word!” my mother interrupted.
“- and after that you simply put up with me,” I continued. “I know you’re ashamed that you have a werewolf for a daughter-”
“ Don’t. Say. That . W-” My mother hissed, exaggerating each individual word.
“What? Werewolf ?” I said loudly. Nurses passing in the hall glanced nervously into the room. “Your little girl is a god-damn werewolf, Mom. It’s about time you accepted that because it’s not going to change. Don’t you think I’ve noticed over the years how you hold your breath when you’re close to me so you don’t have to smell the stink of dog on my skin? And that look of disgust you get on your face when I’m about to change. Admit it. You’d rather I’d died in that attack, rather than be burdened with a monster for a daughter-”
I must have pushed my mother too far, because she drew her hand back and slapped me hard across the face. She was breathing heavily, tears brimming her eyes. I held my cheek and stared at her.
The hospital ward was si lent for several seconds and nobody moved. Clearing her throat and straightening her skirt, my mother composed her expression into one of polite indifference.
“Perhaps you’re right – maybe it would be best if you moved to Alaska. You can live with your father in California until then. Do not bother coming to my house. You are not welcome there.” And with that my mother turned on her heel and swept from the room.
I stared after her before turning to my father who remained in his chair, apparently shell-shocked.
“Well,” I said, dropping my hands to my side and ignoring my stinging cheek. “Looks like I’m staying with you.”
Chapter Twelve
My father hauled my suitcase over the threshold of his two bedroom town-house in Oakland, California. I’d never visited the state before and didn’t intend on staying long.
“Welcome to my humble abode. Sorry it’s a bit of a mess. Boxes everywhere. Haven’t finished unpacking, of course.”
It looked as though he hadn’t even started unpacking. My father had only been here for a couple of weeks, but it seemed as if he’d barely been here at all. Probably spent all of his time at the
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