Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“...He was also the one to steer you towards the elite school.”</span> you said, with no small measure of shame. <span class="mu-r">“It’s good for your education, but it’s gotta take effort to maintain. Studying, heroing, coaching, training. You’ve been too busy pleasing everyone else to get introspective.”</span>
Why didn’t you realize it before? Cindy’s been trying to juggle too much, all because she wants to meet the expectations of those around her. Her parents, her teachers, her friends, her god. And you.
You were aware that everyone’s eyes were on you, but in this moment, you didn’t care.
<span class="mu-r">“You’ll need to have a talk with him. Maybe not on this particular topic to start out, and it doesn’t have to be right away. Just take your time telling him. You don’t have to act tough in front of him. He won’t push you away. I’m sure of it.”</span>
Wanda was giving you a surprised look, but you pressed on.
<span class="mu-r">“If he does, my old offer to beat him up is still on the table. Pretty sure he wouldn’t stand a chance against me. I can crush steel beams in my hands.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“No, please.”</span> Cindy laughed. <span class="mu-s">“You don’t have to fold my foster dad in half.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Yeah, that might be overdoing it a bit.”</span> Wanda admitted. <span class="mu-r">“Even if he is ignoring your mental health.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Seriously,”</span> you said with a self-deprecating laugh. <span class="mu-r">“What kind of person signs up to be a foster parent, and then is too busy to be there for their kid? Spidey and I should really talk some sense into that guy.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Yeah…we’ll have a few words with him.”</span> Abe agreed, giving you a pointed look.
Part of you was glad that you’d had a torta before coming here, because you couldn’t even taste this one. You felt sick to your stomach, and you were certain that Abe could sense the wave of shame washing over you right now.
You couldn’t blame Wanda for saying all those things about you. You deserved them. What you didn’t deserve was Cindy’s defense of your recent behavior.
Thanks, in part, to your little joke, the conversation shifted to a more lighthearted tone. You tried to laugh and smile when necessary, so as not to break up the flow of conversation, but it didn’t quite feel right.
You were starting to feel some of that “inner turmoil” that Pei was talking about.
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(Cont.)
