Two dozen. It didn’t change anything. ‘I’m not mad.’ I fuss with the cart, maneuvering it into the corner, a momentary bout of OCD forcing me ...to perfectly align the wheels with the chipped paint of the baseboard. I’m not mad. I’m furious. ‘You won’t even look at me.’ I haven’t looked at her. Defiant, I do now. She’s got that kicked puppy look that I hate. Mousy brown hair pulled into a messy topknot, her eyes red-rimmed from tears she won’t ever let me see fall. ‘You read too much into looks.’. You're mature enough to be twenty-two ... no, really, you are ... I told you to wear something black ... no, not slinky ... what time? ... no, what time should I come? ... will that give you enough time to get ready? ... Okay, I'll pick something out but I'm not going to fucking dress you ... no, I didn't mean it that way ... okay, I'll see you tomorrow at ... what's that? ... I didn't mean anything about ... so you're twenty-two, I like older women ... I'm serious ... Wanda ... Wanda I've got. Or him or whatever the fuck he is. ---After SchoolAfter school, I begrudgingly head over to my mother’s boss, Lexie’s house. Or should I say mansion? Fuck, her house can fit 10 of my houses inside of it. If the house wasn’t nice enough, she’s also got beachfront property. After I park my car behind her Mercedes, I walk up and knock on her white door. Her house has those kinds of pillars that you’d find in a capital building. It also has a walkout balcony just above the front door and a giant. .. Ms. Turov, I don't want to feel like this ... I thought getting away from those men, I would feel better..." Vashti ... my dear boy ... you've gone from a world where you knew your place, your purpose, and it was a very vital and important purpose, to a situation where you don't know either."I need you ... more than you're ready to believe right now. Do you remember last year, Vashti?" Yes," the boy answered, "although there is much of it I would like to forget ... I remember it." I don't. I.