His mother shook his head, dismissing his words. “They always find a way to blame us, you wait and see. If you are going to marry Sophia, do it as soon as you can to protect yourself. God, if I hadn’t turned in the Basnights—”
She stopped. Gavin turned from the TV to stare at his mother, as her hands slowly rose from her lap to her mouth, too late to catch what she couldn’t take back. They looked at each other for what felt like an unbearably long time, with the only sound coming from the TV, Rather talking to an Octagon spokesman about the details of how martial law was enforced.
“I never meant for you to know that. Gavin, I had to. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done; but I had to,” his mother finally said, her voice oddly calm and even. Her hands betrayed her, as the napkin she he
