Chapter 8. Taxi

Julia

“Just get in the car, and don’t say a word,” Jeff tells me as we exit Merriweather Towers. He has me by the arm, and even though he’s not quite squeezing tightly enough to hurt me, it isn’t comfortable either. He's practically dragging me along behind him as we approach the street where a flock of yellow taxis await people leaving parties like we are.

I’m not exactly sure why he’s mad at me, though I can think of several reasons. I didn’t stay outside on the balcony as he had ordered me to. I had interacted with Cindy and her friends as she’d taken me around the party. Though I had tried to keep to myself and be as quiet as possible, I had been forced to greet people, to shake their hands and be polite.

I know Jeff doesn’t like it when I touch men, even to shake their hands, but I couldn’t be rude and ignore an outstretched hand, could I? Jeff doesn’t like it when I am rude either. With him, there's simply no way for me to win--ever.