Page 45 of Just Like the Brontë Sisters

“Mom! Coconut milk makes me break out in hives! If I have enough of it, I get SERIOUSLY ILL!”

“Well, perhaps Magda didn’t know that and she was just trying to be nice by making you pudding.”

Of course, she would say that, Jo Beth thought. To her mother, food equaled love. “Magda was trying to poison me, Mom.”

Elizabeth stood and led Jo Beth to the bed so she’d be the one sitting. “Darling, I think you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, and with the hormones running through your system, well it’s enough to drive anyone crazy.”

“I’m the opposite of exhausted. All I ever do is rest. I’ve gone all Yellow Wallpaper.”

“Huh?”

How could she not get the reference? After all, Skylar had gotten her love of reading from Elizabeth. “The Yellow Wallpaper? Skylar’s favorite short story, about the woman who goes crazy because her husband forces her to rest? Skylar put it on my Kindle and I could totally relate. I’m ready to rip everything apart with my bare hands.”

Elizabeth’s mouth hung open but the corners of her lips seemed to tighten, as if they were trying to push words out. Then there was a knock.

“Jo Beth?” The bedroom door opened and Mitch peaked his head in. “Hey, sorry to interrupt.”

Jo Beth stood from the bed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t pretend that you weren’t eavesdropping.”

Mitch entered the room and did a sideways shuffle to stand next to Jo Beth in the crowded space. He placed his large hands on her shoulders and she stiffened.

“You’re going to give your mom the wrong impression.” He turned toward Elizabeth without waiting for a response. “The bed-rest has been hard on her. Someone as active as Jo Beth, well, it’s only natural that she goes a little crazy.”

“I’m not crazy!”

“Then you know we’re only keeping you here for the baby’s well-being,” he replied. “Come on, can’t we have a nice evening and celebrate your mom’s arrival?”

“How about I take a little nap here?” Elizabeth suggested. She gestured to the bed, in all its unmade, rumpled glory. “You can keep me company while Mitch and Magda cook dinner.”

There was a long, uncomfortable pause. Jo Beth swallowed down her courage and anger. “Fine, if that’s what you want, Mom. I certainly don’t want to ruin the evening.”

Obviously relieved, Elizabeth hugged her daughter. “We’re the same, you know. I missed being on my meds during pregnancy. But I got through it and you will too. Pretty soon your baby will be here and you’ll be so busy taking care of her, you’ll forget the insanity that led up to her birth. I promise.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Jo Beth met Mitch’s eyes over her mother’s shoulder as she hugged her. I hate you, she mouthed silently to him. But Mitch’s face was unreadable and Jo Beth couldn’t tell if he understood.

“Great,” he said. “I’ll go help Magda start dinner. Hope you’re both hungry.”