Justine
After they left the lawyer Justine found the elementary school, a squat, brick cube with 1924 stamped in its cement cornerstone. Inside, it stank of sweaty sneakers and microwaved noodles. Melanie made an explosive noise with her lips. ‘Gross, Mom.’ Justine ignored her and led them to the office, where the secretary gave her the enrollment forms and said the girls could start on Monday. She offered a tour, but Justine thought of the airy San Diego school and declined.
Then they went home and unpacked. As the girls bickered over the drawers in the green bedroom, Justine replaced the photo of Lucy and Lilith on their dresser with one of Melanie and Angela at the Padres game Patrick had taken them to that summer. Her own room was less easily claimed. Its closet and drawers were burs
