I walk back into the pack house, pausing at the doorway to wipe my feet on the rug- my spirits lifted from talking to Schulman and Leo.
They come plummeting back down the moment I look up and see father's angry face.
I remain silent as he comes forward, arms crossed and familiar glare piercing into me.
"Dad let me-"
"What." He stops short a few inches from me, using his height to an advantage as he looks down from above, "were you thinking?"
I swallow thickly and glance behind him, checking to see if maybe mother or Sandra were there.
But there's no one.
I look back up to him, pulling myself up to my full height as I glare back.
"I drove to see if they would accept me."
"And did they?"
I flinch from his disbelieving tone.
".... No..."