“I know you love me,” I said. I kept my face smooth, but I was wondering where he was headed with the conversation. He usually began with the We’re so disappointed in you, but we love you and expect you to do better speech, but this seemed different.

He sighed, already exhausted from parenting me. Two sets of heels clicked down the hall. I sat up taller when my mother entered the room, followed by her life coach, Sally.

“Philip,” Mother began, “I told you to wait.” She spoke under her breath, smiling at me as she always did, as if her unnatural smile made her words magically imperceptible.

“I just—”

“Mr. Edson,” Sally said. “It’s important we keep a united front, remember?”

“What is this?” I asked, amused. “An intervention?”

“We love you,” Daddy said.

Mother held the back of her hand against her husband’s chest and took a step forward, clasping her fingers together at her waist. “Ellison, when your father and I learned about the party and damage, we were already at our limit. We’ve warned you countless times. You’re an adult now. There really is no excuse.”

“Why is Sally here?” I asked.

Mother continued, “We’re at the point where we’re concerned about your safety and the safety of others. How old was the young girl who just left?”

“Old enough,” I said, settling back against my pillow.

I stretched to hide how unsettled I felt. This kind of confrontation was a first for them. My parents usually had a heated argument, in my presence, about how to deal with me, and then my father would send me on a lavish vacation—like the one I was about to take with Finley.

Mother smoothed the lines of regret that cut across her forehead. “Your father and I have decided to…” She cleared her throat. Despite her exasperation, she was unsure.

“Meredith … go on,” Sally said.

“You’re grounded,” Mother forced out.

“I’m … what?” I giggled the last word, in total disbelief. I’d never been grounded in my life, not even when I was young enough to actually be grounded.

Mother shook her head, and then retreated to my father. He held her as if they were identifying my body.

Sally took over. “Your trip to the South China Sea with Finley has been canceled, as have your credit cards and access to family homes and employees. You are allowed to stay here for ninety days. You must find employment, and once you reimburse your parents for the amount in damages you’ve cause to the residence, some of your privileges will be reinstated.”

I grit my teeth. “Fuck off, Sally.”

Sally didn’t flinch.

“Ellison, really,” Mother said. “Maricela and José have been instructed to keep food in the pantry and the main quarters clean. Other than that, it’s up to you.”