"Tell them, kid."
Fool! Didn't he know they were laughing at him?
She wanted to tear loose from her whole life. It was trivial. It was everyday. It was gossip and collections and stupid people. She had to tear loose or she would go on and on, all her life, being nothing but—herself.
She was too good for that.
She was too good for Brendel. He had tricked her and turned into a fattening fool. It was stupid to stay with him.
"Aw, come on, kid."
She drew herself up very straight and imagined she must look imposing. "I'll ask you all to leave," she said calmly.
Gone were the smiles.
"I'm closing my grid to public access. I'll ask you to leave immediately." The words came out stiffly and precisely. She imagined she must already be more than just herself.
"What the hell!"