Fear and shame she understood. Fear made you run and hide and shame made you stay quiet, but this anger wanted something else. Release. “Don’t,” Mama said. “Please.” “Don’t what?” Leni said. “You’re judging me.” It was true, Leni realized with surprise. She was judging her mother, and it felt disloyal. Cruel, even. She knew that Dad was sick. Leni bent down to replace the paperback book under the table’s rickety leg.
