Perhaps she didn’t mean it in the literal sense, maybe she’d shunned them, or been shunned.

“By choice or design?” Lucy asked as if it wasn’t one of the most invasive questions in the world.

Way to go Lucy, no sugar coating it, just cut to the chase.

“My parents were business people. They didn’t want kids. When they hit their forties, they got this idea in their heads they’d need someone to look after them when they got old. A year later, along came me.”

The tone of Colette’s voice suggested it wasn’t a happy story, or one she would’ve shared under normal circumstances.

“Hugs and kisses were sparse. Showing affection just wasn’t done.”

Lucy glanced in the rear-view mirror, but Kelly didn’t dare turn around. She didn’t want to feel compassion, Colette was an adult, she knew right from wrong.

“Although my parents were absent emotionally, I had the best of everything. I worked my butt off to get good grades. I left school and got a job that made my parents proud. Like any kid seeking their parent’s approval, I thought that was enough. Then they died. Long story short, I resigned from a gruelling job, and secured a position working for Paula.”

“And fell in love with your boss,” Kelly supplied feeling like she was in the middle of a tragic love story, which would’ve been comical if the joke wasn’t on her.

“Correct, but that’s not the point I’m trying to make.”

“Well, you better hurry up and make it.” Lucy turned into Ruahine Street. “We’ll be at the hospital soon.”

Kelly wished she could see Lucy’s eyes to read her emotions. She doubted Lucy felt as blasé as she sounded.

“Seeing your life flash before your eyes is an otherworldly experience.” Colette sat forward in the backseat. “Having someone you’ve taunted rush to your side is the most humbling, slap in the face thing I’ve ever experienced. I’m so fucking sorry, Kelly. Can you ever forgive me?”

Hearing Ms. Prissy curse made Kelly want to laugh, but her chest was too tight.

As if sensing Kelly needed to confront Colette, the second Lucy parked she jumped out of the car.

“I’ll go feed the meter. See you inside.”

The door banged shut, and every slur Colette had uttered settled across Kelly’s shoulders like a ten-tonne barbell.

She hated herself for caring what someone as heartless as Colette thought of her, but she wanted—needed—to make her accountable.

“Why?” Kelly asked.

For an agonizing minute, that one simple word bounced around the car like a ticking timebomb.

“I was jealous,” Colette said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hardly able to believe her ears, Kelly turned in her seat and faced Colette head on. “Of me? I’m a fucking nobody.”

“You’re wrong, Kelly.” Colette smiled.