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.

see her, Gerard said, his voice steady. “Do you have

again, I’ve always known you were a good kid. That kind of woman has no right to be your mother! Only Ms. Fletcher has that right. She’s from a good family, a perfect match for your dad. She’s waited for your dad half her life; how can you bear to make her wait any longer?”

was right. How many eighteen–year cycles does a

to Jonah; it was time Jonah settled things with

has no right to be my mother!” Gerard’s tone was flat. “Grandma, anyone can become

gotten into you, child!” Janet was becoming agitated, “You’ve been raised by Ms. Fletcher since you were a tot! How can you say such things about her!” Her words

was usually such a sensible

he see right from wrong when it truly

woman as his mother than

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

sighed and walked over to pat her back.

Janet’s heart. Regardless

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

good woman. Why couldn’t this father and son

don’t like her, and I don’t like

Janet asked,

“Just because.”

to win over Janet and

have been able to

for Edna was just as strong

want to see my mom, just

longed so much to see his mother.