The Girl Who Sat Beside Her
“I’m an amateur, Vivienne.
Have some mercy.”
“Vivienne,” our mother corrected her, reaching out a frail hand to squeeze Juliet’s fingers.
“I told you last week, child.
You call me Vivienne.
Or you call me Mom, if it would please you.
I would like it very much if it pleased you.”
Juliet’s smile turned radiant and wet at once.