"He was just acting out." 'Just acting out' describes the majority of Leo's life; he's only recently settled down and started acting like a responsible adult. Parenting has actually been good for him, she reflects. "But he was the one who ran for Mum after he realised I was hurt. Didn't save him from a scolding, but I think he felt bad about it."
That wasn't long after Francine had gone back to work - once all three of them were old enough for school, she'd gone right back to the hardworking lifestyle she'd had before Tish was born.
"I was always the good kid." Martha wrinkles her nose. "Someone had to be, I reckon." Tish hadn't been bad, per se, but she engaged in her fair share of misbehaving. And Martha? She'd always been the studious, hard-working one. The dull one, as Tish always called her. She's not dull, but she knew what she wanted from a young age, and knew that she'd have to work hard to get there.
(At least he's believing her lie. She tries not to think about the inch or so of scar tissue that pokes up past the back of her tank top. He won't notice it.)
no subject
That wasn't long after Francine had gone back to work - once all three of them were old enough for school, she'd gone right back to the hardworking lifestyle she'd had before Tish was born.
"I was always the good kid." Martha wrinkles her nose. "Someone had to be, I reckon." Tish hadn't been bad, per se, but she engaged in her fair share of misbehaving. And Martha? She'd always been the studious, hard-working one. The dull one, as Tish always called her. She's not dull, but she knew what she wanted from a young age, and knew that she'd have to work hard to get there.
(At least he's believing her lie. She tries not to think about the inch or so of scar tissue that pokes up past the back of her tank top. He won't notice it.)