The Mirror Sisters by V.C. Andrews

Author:V.C. Andrews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pocket Books

9

Mother was dressed and ready to go shopping even before Haylee and I went down to have breakfast. She had her hair pinned up severely. From the way she was banging pans and slamming drawers, I knew something was bothering her. I hadn’t heard our phone ringing, and she was rarely on Daddy’s computer for emails, so I didn’t think someone had contacted her to tell her something about us or Daddy that would upset her. Haylee and I looked at each other and meekly moved through the kitchen to get our juice. Mother always laid out the vitamins she wanted us to take in two perfect rows beside our juice glasses.

“I’m making scrambled eggs,” she announced, in a tone that told us Don’t dare object. She wasn’t even looking at us. She stirred the eggs and milk like a witch driven by rage rushing her brew.

The table was already set, so we sat. Haylee went from fear to suspicion. Did she think I had gone to speak to Mother after she had left my room last night? I shook my head, but she wouldn’t stop glaring at me with those eyes of accusation. Mother didn’t notice or start interrogating us.

“Don’t just sit there like guests. Make your toast,” she commanded, and we both jumped up and went to the toaster. Nearly a year ago, she had decided it was all right for us to have coffee at breakfast. While the bread was being toasted, I poured us each a cup. I set Haylee’s by her plate. She waited for the toast and brought it on a dish to the table. Mother hadn’t said another word. She finished making the eggs and scooped out eight perfectly equal tablespoons for each of us. Then she stepped back to watch us eat.

“Aren’t you having any breakfast, Mother?” I asked.

“I’m not hungry this morning. I’ll eat something later.”

We ate at our usual simultaneous pace. However, Mother’s staring was making us both quite nervous. Finally, she sat with a cup of coffee in hand. We hesitated as she lowered and then raised her gaze. Her lips trembled as her thoughts rippled across her face. Even Haylee was frightened now. We both held our breath.

“I had to agree to let you go to dinner tonight with your father,” she announced through clenched teeth. “I didn’t tell you last night because I thought it might disturb you and keep you from getting a good night’s sleep, as it did me.”

“Dinner?” I asked.

“Believe me, I didn’t want to allow it, but my attorney said I should. Whatever your father tells you will be lies,” she quickly continued. “The best I can say about it is that it will be a good lesson for you. You’ll see how a man equivocates and rationalizes his selfish misbehavior. He’ll try to turn me into a villain and make himself look like a victim.”

“How can he be a victim?” Haylee asked. “He’s left us for another family.”

“Exactly,” Mother said. Then she smiled.

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