Life and Other Inconveniences

by Kristan Higgins

“I’m filing a restraining order against your child,” I said. “Keep her away from Riley, or she’ll end up in juvie. You think I don’t know how the system works? Watch me, Jane. And take a look at yourself while you’re at it. A nasty, bullying little shit doesn’t appear in a vacuum.”

You’ve always been the intellectual of the group. The one who’s being recruited by the finest colleges. The one with flawless skin and remarkable eyes.” Mikayla had posted a picture of me on Snapchat with the caption tinted contacts make u look like an alien. Except I didn’t wear tinted contacts. Remarkable was a nicer way of thinking of it. “Your former friends are jealous, Riley dear. Last year, you weren’t a threat, since college wasn’t looming on the horizon. Last year, you hadn’t blossomed, I imagine. This year, they see you as you are—superior. Therefore, they’ve banded together like a pack of mewling coyotes, sensing that you’re the timber wolf in their midst, and trying to make you feel like a rabbit instead of what you are.” I liked the way she called me dear. And timber wolf. Yes, I liked timber wolf a lot.

“Because you were gorgeous and single and loaded,” I said. “Gorgeous and widowed and well-to-do, dear. Choose your words more carefully. They make such an impact. But yes.”