The Us Between Chaos
Clarisse, Papu’s current wife, was sitting on their sofa, already frowning at the sight of me.
“What happened again?” Clarisse said.
I smiled and looked down, my voice shrinking inside my chest. I tried to meet her eyes, but they were burning.
“A rat bit Paris.”
“Oh my god,” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes and turning to Papu. “I told your Papu a while ago when you called. Oh my god, Sydney’s calling — she’s bringing you a problem again.” She laughed like it was nothing.
She’s bringing you a problem again.
I laughed weakly, mostly to stay upright. I glanced at Papu. He avoided her gaze, fiddling with the hem of his shirt like he wanted to say something but chose silence instead.
Bab Populer