I planned to surprise her with the blanket and suggest we order dinner from her favorite restaurant.

Instead, the moment I opened our apartment door in San Diego, the bag slipped from my hand.

Evelyn was curled on the floor near the hallway.

Her cheek was bright red.

Her lower lip had split, leaving a small line of blood along her chin.

My mother stood over her.

One hand twisted into Evelyn’s hair.

The other was raised.

“You can’t even make a proper meal!” Nora shouted.

“You spend Julian’s money all day and still think you can talk back to me!”

Then my mother saw me.

Everything changed.

She released Evelyn immediately.

“Julian!”