Come On Tammy________________________
Mei excuses herself and bolts out of the lobby.
"Well, that just happened," I mutter.
Tammy groans, her frustration evident. "It's no one's fault."
"I know. Parent has to do what they have to do."
Her eyes snap toward me, disgust lacing her voice. "I'm not her parent."
"Not in my eyes," I shrug casually. "You'd be a better mother."
"What the hell do you mean by that?"
Her fingers stretch out, like she's mentally preparing herself to smack me if I slip up again. I'm pretty sure her fist would be a cop's version of a love tap, but I'm not eager to find out.
"Well…" I glance at the glass door, where Mei's silhouette still lingers. Fragile and anxious. "If her 'real' mother was doing her job, why isn't she here when Mei needs someone the most?"
Tammy's glare turns sharper, laced with something almost like anticipation. "What do you know about Mei? Did she tell you?"