“Mom, we are in Switzerland, right? So I can tell you anything without judgment?”

“Yup.”

“I forged your signature on the letter for the track team.”

My mom jolts up off the bed and her voice goes up three octaves. “You did what? What the hell were you thinking? You’ve undermined any progress we’ve made with the school. And what about Alex? How is he going to feel when there are no consequences for the coach? Not to mention the fact that you forged my name! Do you get what a giant mess you’ve made?”

“I know, I’m sorry. I was just mad because I heard you tell Uncle Ty on the phone that you were disappointed in me. I try so hard, but everything I do . . . It’s always going to fall short in your eyes.”

“Argh! Ayo, I can’t . . .” She rakes her hands through her hair. The bun falls, and her hair is now out and wild. “Ayomide, I was disappointed in your actions, not in you as a person. And if you thought I was so unhappy with you, why didn’t you come to me? Hold on, is this all so that you could undermine the organization? Was that your way of trying to get out of See Us?”

Her face cracks and the pieces fall to the floor. I’ve shattered my mom. I quickly try to explain. “It wasn’t like that. I do want out, but the letter wasn’t a part of it. I have a different plan to leave See Us. I’m going to earn my way out.”

“Earn your way out? Child, you done lost yo good mind. How dare you speak about See Us as if it’s some kind of punishment! And how exactly were you going to— Oh, I get it.” She nods bitterly as she takes it all in. “The scavenger hunt. So, out of everything you could ask for in this world, your one wish is to walk away from See Us?” Her body stiffens. She turns her back toward me and walks to the window. I don’t need to see her face to tell that she’s hurt.

“Mom, talk to me.”

“I thought this was just a phase you were going through . . .”

“I’m sorry, it’s not. And don’t blame Devonte. I have wanted this for a long time.”

She turns toward me with tears in her eyes. “Why are you doing this? Why are you working so hard to ruin what I made for you?”

I can’t find the words; seeing her cry scares me. I would do anything to make it stop. I go to her and take her hands, but she pulls away.