The Cousins

Milly still won’t talk to Jonah, although Aubrey understands where Jonah was coming from and doesn’t believe that he is a bad person. Aubrey’s mother texts her to say that Aubrey’s swim coach has gone public with her pregnancy, and Aubrey promises to be there for her mother from now on. Aubrey receives an unexpected phone call from Thomas, and they finally break up. Milly applauds Aubrey for standing up for herself. At Catmint House, Theresa turns Milly away, reminding her that “this invitation was for Aubrey only” (373). Mildred explains to Aubrey that it was a mistake for her to allow her grandchildren into her life and that “the ties [she] severed with [her] children twenty-four years ago are absolute” (376). She stresses that the Story children and grandchildren are not welcome on the island. Aubrey realizes that Mildred chose to talk to her not because she likes Aubrey best but because she expects Aubrey to be docile and easy to control, unlike Milly and JT. Aubrey asks about Kayla’s death, and Mildred is visibly perturbed. Aubrey accidentally knocks over the coffee, and the hot liquid hits Mildred’s gloved hands. She quickly “rip[s] off the gloves” (378), and Theresa runs into the room to help.