“It was that bad, huh?” Victor says, taking in her determined face. He breathes out a tired sigh and settles down next to her, staring out into the kitchen garden. He’s surprised, a little, at how quickly he went from a frenzy of anxiety to complete calm.
Evelyn huffs a laugh. “Your dad and your brother, Victor,” she says, shaking her head. “They’re real pieces of work. How did you turn out so nice, with them in your lives?”
He shoots her a look from the side of his eye. “You think I’m nice?”
“Well,” she shrugs. “Comparatively. It’s at least been a couple of months since you’ve called me a w***e and suggested I was no better than my sons’ surrogate.”
Victor groans and puts a hand over his face. “God, don’t remind me. I’m so sorry, Evelyn.”
“It’s okay,” she says softly. “I don’t bla
