sixteen
Veterinarian Clinic
Thursday
7:30 p.m.
Ava’s words triggered a switch inside and even with all the growth living in Swan Harbor had brought, Emma couldn’t keep her childhood cape away. As she wrapped it around, she became the Emma Foster she thought her family expected.
She stood a bit taller.
Don’t slouch, Emma. Chin up. Chest out.
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
It’s important to keep your thoughts to yourself.
Her voice grew clipped, losing much of its intonation.
Overexcitement will never do.
Hands that cared for animals one minute and were used to express the next were glued to her side and bunched into fists.
Don’t wave your hands around when you talk, Emma, it’s quite distracting.
“Mother,” Emma moved aside. “Won’t you come in?”
When Ava stepped across t
