“I’m leaving.”
Her mouth was dangling open in surprise. She quickly snapped it shut, trying to control her expression.
“How will you….”
“I have everything I need,” I interrupted.
“Are you going alone?”
I shook my head. “I’m picking up Seth and taking Brigadoon.”
Seth is my best friend; Brigadoon is my pit bull.
“Hyacinth, you just can’t…” she started.
“Yes I can, and I will.”
“But…”
“Bye, mother.” I turned and walked out of the room, passing my brothers and sisters, finally not able to conceal their shock. I jogged to the back door to get Brig, picking up his leash and food on the way. He was sitting outside, whining for me to let him in. I hooked the leash on swiftly and left without a word to my siblings. I set the dog food in the bed of my rotting Chevy. Brigadoon jumped into the cab, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.
I jumped in after him, crammed the key in the ignition, and threw it into reverse.