This is Where We Talk Things Out

by Caitlin Marceau

“Why are you giving that bitch your time?” “That bitch is my mother, so watch your mouth.” “Sorry, why are you giving that bitch, your mother, your time? Better?”

while Sylvie had a bad habit of extending poison ivy disguised as olive branches, Miller had a worse habit of accepting them.

how you feel doesn’t dictate the truth of the situation.”

Miller is stunned with Sylvie’s version of events, but unsurprised by it. This is what it was like growing up with her: every event, every memory, rewritten and retold to you enough times that you couldn’t help but wonder if the version you remembered was wrong. It always started with the tears she could summon on command, and ended with Miller apologising for something she never did and agreeing that Sylvie was right.

She’s grateful for the slow and steady stream of tears that have been leaking from her eyes all afternoon. She’s not sure why her eyes won’t stop watering—although it’s a safe bet it has something to do with her broken nose and head trauma—but she’s happy for the tears. They help sell the lie.