Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy

Author:Amy Fellner Dominy [Dominy, Amy Fellner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-08-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

“My hands feel like they’re covered in skin.”

Mom laughs as she puts the kettle on to boil. “They are.”

“Not my skin. Old skin.”

“One day your skin will be old.”

“And I probably won’t like touching it, either.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake. It wasn’t that bad.” She sets out all the tea things. Mugs, spoons, metal infusers for the loose leaf and a plate to place them on when we’re done steeping our tea. I like our Thursday night ritual. What I don’t like is old person skin.

“Why’d you make me do the moisture mask?” I ask. “You know I hate that the most.”

“Because you’re going to be my partner on May fourth, and you need to be comfortable doing everything.”

“There’s plenty of other stuff I can do. I don’t need to rub all that goo into bony, wrinkled necks.”

“Either they’re bony or they’re wrinkled.” Her gaze narrows in disappointment—with me.

“Sorry,” I say. “It’s just not my thing.”

The kettle whistles loudly and a burst of steam announces the water is ready. Mom slides off her stool. “It should be one of your favorite parts of the job—applying products that offer real-time results. Knowing you’re helping people.”

She pours the boiling water in our mugs and I set my infuser in the water. Instantly, the scent of orange and nettle rises with the steam.

Mom sits again, kicking off her ballet slippers. “What is your favorite part, by the way?”

I wiggle my infuser. “What?”

“Of the job.” She leans over the tea, letting the steam mist her cheeks. She claims it’s good for the skin. It just makes me hot. “What do you love most? I don’t think I’ve ever asked you that.”

I study the swirling leaves. It makes me think of people who read fortunes in tea leaves. To me, they look like wet weeds.

“Josie?” My mom’s voice prods me. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m looking for my future in the tea leaves.”

“And what do you see?”

A pair of angry blue eyes. “Do you think I’m soulless?”

Her eyes widen. “Of course not. Why would you ask that?”

“Because I don’t like applying moisturizer to people’s faces. Because I don’t care that I’m helping them with skin care issues.” I push away the tea, my hand shaking with anger, confusion, and a fear I don’t understand. “What’s wrong with a paycheck? What’s wrong with wanting a career in a business that’s growing, that has a solid client base and a great work environment? What’s wrong with that?”

“Josie!” Mom looks shocked. “What’s going on, honey?”

“Nothing.” I stand, frustrated with myself. I was perfectly happy wanting the things I wanted until Garrett made that stupid comment. Now I feel like somehow it’s not good enough. Or just not…enough. “Sorry, Mom. I’m tired. I’m going to head to bed early.”

“What about your tea?”

“I’ll take it with me.” But somehow, I don’t think this is something that healing herbs are going to fix.

…

I’m still in a bad mood after school on Friday. Mai offered to come with me to the field but I said no.

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