Chapter 12: Zefiro

Susanna and I stare at each other until Rizzi leaves and we’re left completely alone. “I’m leaving,” she tells me, and for some reason, my heart pauses an entire beat. I notice then that she’s out of uniform, wearing black slacks, an oversized sweatshirt, a ridiculous black hat and ugly orange-pink running shoes. There’s a bag hanging across her chest and I wonder just what could fit into there.

I stare and stare at her, hiding my traitorous shaking fingers behind my back. “You do not need my permission to leave. I never wanted you here in the first place.” She starts to speak, but I cut in as harshly as I can. “See yourself out, Mrs. Hawke, and never darken my door again.”

Her eyes gutter and she turns sharply, heading for the door. I want to reach for her, but I don’t. This is good, I tell myself. This is best, I convince myself. In a few weeks, should my grandmother’s arrangement go acc