Chapter 24

"How could you?"

Jessie locked eyes with her mother, but refused to respond.

"Dr. Uhl said you were combative and rude. Rude, Jess. You just can't seem to get out of your own way, can you?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?"

"Don't get fresh mouth with me, young lady. I've had enough of your antics. If we didn't feel that sending you back to San Francisco was a reward instead of a punishment, you'd be packing your bags right now."

"But we don't want to foist our problem on someone else," Rick added, entering the parlor. He sat next to Reena and held her hand.

"Is that what I've been reduced to? A problem?" Leaning back, Jessie swallowed the anger rising in her throat.

"Don't act the victim here. You left your appointment early, you were disrespectful, and now, you have earned a restriction."

Jessie shot forward. "Are you kidding me? I'm seventeen. Who puts a seventeen-year-old on restriction?"

"Maybe if you started acting more mature and less rebellious, we wouldn't have to."