At least, calling my grandmother had been the original plan. I retreated to my quarters to wash my face and pull myself together, not wanting to call out to her just in case she took my present state as a reason to go all Nanna on me and try to protect me from something she couldn't.

I loved my family, but they could be pretty bossy at times. I should know, had my own mile-wide streak of stubborn and commanding and demanding that wasn't going away anytime soon.

I was a ...