Lila snorted. “Did she make you scrub your homework?”
Duncan leaned back, smirking. “Well, aren’t you lucky, to have a mother who cleans up after other people for a living. You know… smarter people.”
“Did she make you scrub your homework?”
I felt my cheeks flush, but I kept my hands busy with the ham, slicing and stacking as if it would keep me invisible. Aunt Margaret gave me a look, half pity, half apology, then dropped her gaze to her napkin.
Gina’s voice rang out, sharp and clear. “Still cleaning toilets then, Stella?”
Someone tapped a glass, Daniel’s uncle, his voice low. “Don’t be cruel, Gina.”
But my mother-in-law only smiled, her eyes hard. “Well, smart people would never do this, there have to be some… not-so-bright ones too.”
I bit my lip, the taste of salt and shame mingling in my mouth. Audrey sat stiff, jaw clenched, knuckles white around her fork. For a moment, I just watched her, afraid of what she’d say or do.
“Still cleaning toilets then, Stella?”
