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what's right."
    "Mrs. Rivers, we're late for an appointment!"
    "Think about it, Michael. You're not part of this anymore. You've changed from the beast you were. Change a little more, and you'll see what I mean. Come with me."
    I couldn't imagine her life in the slubs, eating grilled rats, living in tents. In the shows, she sang, stripped nude, and ate fire, I'd heard. "I found someone." I said, not sure if she knew of Nora. "I'm in love."
    She shook her head frantically, but one of the charms in her hair spun around and hit her on the nose. "Trust me," she said, grimacing and rubbing the spot. "There's nothing to love in the families. They're evil and ruthless. They're all dead lumps of stolen flesh! Come with me. You need to find your real family."
    By now, Joelene's face turned red. "Mrs. Rivers, I'm warning you!"
    "Please, Michael!" She put her hands on my shoulders. "It's time you came home. They're waiting. They adore you. And you'd make such a lovely addition. You could dance with us."
    That was the worse thing she could have suggested. "Mother," I said, squirming away. "You know I don't dance anymore."
    "Fine!" she said, angrily. "Don't dance!"
    "It's time for you to go," said Joelene.
    Mother combed her hair from her face and regained her composure. "I always thought you would be a poet. A lovely poet. But you don't have to do anything in the show. You could be my assistant. Wouldn't that be nice? You could hold my clothes while I strip."
    "Mother!" I said, flummoxed. "I don't want to perform. I don't want you doing it either!"
    "Mrs. Rivers," said Joelene, wedging herself between us. "Leave now, or I'll be forced to call security."
    "Michael, come and find out who you are."
    "That's it!" Joelene pushed mother backward. "You must go now."
    "How dare you touch me! You're just like all of them. You're sucking his blood. You're just using his talent and fame!" Mother had that crazy look in her eyes. A second later she clenched her fists and lunged at Joelene as if to pummel her. Joelene was stronger and knew the fighting arts. In one second, she had Mother in a headlock and called the satins.
    "Let go of me, you bitch!" screamed Mother. "Let Michael come with me and find out the truth!"
    "Mother!" I said, wishing she wouldn't be like this. "I know the truth."
    "Let go!" she said, thrashing in Joelene's grip. "Let go or I'll bite."
    Two especially tall, satin beasts, with angular but impassive faces, rushed in and grabbed her. One held her arms; the other, her legs, and they carried her out as if they were dealing with so much meat.
    "Get these things off of me!" she shrieked.
    "Joelene's only trying to protect me," I said, as they came to the door.
    "Your father is a mutation!" she screamed. "Ask him what that means! Ask him!"
    The door slammed shut.
    Plopping onto my grey wool couch, I slumped forward and told myself that I hated her. Every time I saw her, she wound up screaming and ranting. I had the worst parents. They were loud, obnoxious, selfish, and awful.
    Joelene sat beside me and stroked my shoulder. "Eventually," she said, "we will talk with her. She is a good person. It's circumstance."
    "I don't want to see her ever again."
    Joelene's hand slid off my back. "Judith Rivers-Zssne," she pronounced Mother's name slowly as if she were going to define the words, "has led a difficult life. As have all the women who have been with your father. I know she loves you, but she expected too much from her marriage and . . . " After she glanced at me gently, she said, "She probably thought you would save her."
    "Me?" I asked, as if it were absurd. "From what?"
    "Unhappiness," she said, staring into space. Her eyes found mine. With a shrug, she added, "Years ago, your mother tried to fight the system. She petitioned the families to let her change her identity. Of course, they refused, as that's wholly illegal—tantamount to treason. Since then, she's done the best she can."
    I didn't want to think about Mother and her