74 The Meadow “Um, no.” She scoffs and adjusts her hat. “Okay,” I say, trying to keep my voice level. People are staring. Every customer and coworker gapes at us. I catch a glimpse of a long, black braid out of the corner of my eye and take a deep breath. “I was just checking. You did steal another car once.” “I told you. I didn’t steal anything. Things just—” Brigid screams. “Like the steaks?” I ask coolly. “Can we talk about this outside?” “You think you’re better than me, don’t you?” I roll my eyes. “Look, keep your voice down. Let’s go for a walk outside.” I move toward her and she lashes out at me, her ragged pink nails catching on my wrist. Suddenly Lupita is beside me, grasping my hand. I shrug her off. “It’s fine.” “Are you fucking my sister or something?” Lupita’s charcoal eyes widen, as though it’s never occurred to her that anyone else, even my own sister, knows I’m a lesbian. I shake my head. “What do you want, Brig?” “I want you to believe me,” she says. “About what?” “That I’m a good person.” “I never said you weren’t.” A siren trills faintly. Brigid’s weeping now, but it only makes my chest tighten, my fists clench. “I’m done,” I say. “They’re going to put you on the perp wall. Did you know that? You’ll never be welcome here or anywhere else decent people go.” The siren grows louder and Brigid narrows her eyes at me. “Whatever. You’ll be sorry when I’m gone. Me and the mountains,” she says and runs out the door before I can say another word. My coworkers skirt me the rest of the day, eyes averted, faces
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