Chapter 28: Isabelle: Pity Date

"I can go with you, if you want." Then I can drive.

"You don't have to shout." She gives me a dirty look.

"I wasn't shouting," I say quieter, and now I'm basically whispering. "Or, if you want to give me the money, I can go shopping and you can lie down."

"I need to get out of this house." She stands and wobbles, then steadies herself with the back of the chair. "I just need to change."

I slouch against the counter. The last thing I want to do today is chase my drunk mother around the grocery store, but what other choice do I have? I can't let her go alone. At least we won't be home when Ms. Rhoades shows up. I go upstairs and change out of my dress and into jeans and a T-shirt. After putting on socks and sneakers, I go back downstairs.