His footsteps thunder up the staircase, followed by another door slam that makes the whole house shudder.
Mrs. Graves stares after him, her face pale with shock and confusion. When she turns back to me, her eyes are worried.
“I’m so sorry, dear. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s never...” She trails off, wrapping her arms around herself. “You two didn’t have some kind of falling out, did you? I know he was close to your brother Josh, and sometimes when grief hits...”
My throat tightens. If only it were that simple. I’m just surprised she doesn’t hate me like everyone else does for that day.
“Must be class stress,” I manage, not trusting myself to say more.
She nods slowly, still looking troubled. “Well, whatever it is, there’s no excuse for that behavior. You’re welcome here,
