BETSY

still dancing around convoluted family affairs. Sam had pulled the chair o

idn't quite reach her eyes. Internally, she was

hat we were celebrating," Bett said

ally been able to join the council leaders, a po

elt different today- it was s

s why not? That's the only re

oon enough," he said, but there was something in his voice that made Bett uneasy.

away from gaining the respect he thought he deserved. If this was his

Bett pressed, her

the envelope on the table, which Bett hadn't noticed before. It was sealed with the council'

quickened. "

"The council has made its decision, Bett. Th

uth dry. "And... wha

wider, though it didn'

-of influence. I'm not just going to be a member of th

ch this level, but now, in the cold light of the room, she couldn't shak

? Was it an honor, or a dangerous

they can't just give you this pos

oment before he turned back to

his throat again. "I've b

r, and then at Mark before

l me

before he finally spoke, his v

and your mother". He began his gaze fixed on he

he seriousness in her father's tone. "Her future??"

er future, "Her future is her

sweaty and shaky, she didn't like thi

his gaze cold and devoid of e

t to scream, his voice a

nst the floor. "I don't get it, Dad," he spat, his fa

was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Bett's heart raced,

ake sense of the situation. "How....How...", her words hung deep in

mth in them. "It is not for you to question," he said simply.

She felt like dying. This wasn't what she was e

y" Stan continued". " they are very good people"

is isn't fair! You're treating her like she's some

rk or I'll send u to feed the

eeling, she had plans to make a life,

won't...." Tears threate

an continued. "Do you even know what it means to be part of the Wilson famil

d "You call the Wilson's good peopl

her" her voice raised. You can't force me i

his voice rising. She saw a side of him she had never noticed - resolute and unwave

have the luxury of choices, we

lf growing numb. The reality hit her so hard that her hea

ld find, but none came. Mom was staring at her like she was some toy, nobody cared, she was completely alone her

I don't love him and I don't even know him. Mother say something pl

e is not needed Bett" he's a good man, and I believe he

but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she turned away from

ched her as she left the room, the s

is was, but a storm of emotions brewing inside her-a storm she had no

nough time, to save up, and get a train ticket to Brooklyn to start up a new