Shades of Stress

Amy sobs in my arms and before I can speak, she launches in. "M-Mom screamed at Dad about how if he was going to be f-flippant about you hanging with a d-drug-dealer, that she wouldn't s-sit around and watch us all s-slide back into hell." Her voice breaks on the word. "I-I realized . . . If I hadn't told her about Aid—"

"Amy, stop it," I interrupt, as much to make her stop talking about Aiden, as to deny what she's telling me. "Mom didn't leave because of you, or anything you said. She left because she's miserable. She isn't gone forever. She'll just be taking a break." I try to subtly inch her closer to the door.

"She packed, Kate. She packed the necklace. I watched her."

That freezes me mid-nudge.