From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Chapter 167

“Shut up!” Janet snapped, her voice harsh with disdain. “That woman doesn’t deserve to be called ‘mom! She’s not fit to be a mother”

“Is it possible… my mom isn’t really dead?” Gerard turned to face Janet, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

“I told you, she’s not your mother” Janet blurted out, perhaps realizing her volume had risen too much. She softened her tone, “Gerry, the really is dead.”

“is my mom really dead?” Gerard suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing as be locked eyes with Janet

That look, it was too intense for an eighteen–year–old.

It was as if he was trying to see night through her.

Feeling guilty, Janet couldn’t hold his stare. “She’s dead,” she insisted.

What was the point of a woman like Carole still being alive?

If at peace!

Better off gone, better off

Never before had Janet wished as fervently for someone like Carole to succumb to some terminal Illness and pass away.

It was clear from the look on Gerard’s face that he was not satisfied.

to see her, Gerard said, his voice steady.

known you were a good kid. That kind of woman has no right to be your mother! Only Ms. Fletcher has that

was right. How many eighteen–year cycles does

to Jonah; it was

has no right to be my mother!” Gerard’s tone was

gotten into you, child!” Janet was becoming agitated, “You’ve been raised by Ms. Fletcher since you were a tot!

was usually such a sensible

couldn’t he see right from wrong when it truly mattered?

rather acknowledge a flirty woman as his mother than accept Edna in that role.

grew worse, as if she was trying to expel her very lungs.

walked over

Regardless of everything, this boy still cared for

to live. She didn’t want to see her son and grandson left alone in the

was such a good woman. Why couldn’t

“I don’t like her, and I don’t like

Janet

“Just because.”

to win over Janet and

have been able

was just as strong as his

“I just want to see

had Gerard longed so much