Chapter 138

CLAUDIA. Achilles starts to grip the photo tighter and tighter, almost to the point of it getting disintegrated in his hands. I snatch it away from him before he can destroy it forever, and he whips around to face me as though he wants to stop me. I know it’s just an initial reaction because he’s all fired up with anger right now, but I still flinch. That action seems to have brought him down to earth a little. I can see the flash of guilt in his eyes but it vanishes almost as quickly as it came. I didn’t stop to wonder why. He’s angry. It’s like a little flame burning through the center of a piece of paper. He will try to hide it but it’s there. And it’s rightful and just. That’s the kind of anger you just don’t forget. Everyone else seems to understand this well. Aristea lowers her head in what looks like shame and guilt, and Carlos looks away like he doesn’t want to see Achilles upset. I set down the photo on the table in the middle of the room and put my hands on his chest. “L