her debit card against the payment terminal, grabbed her bag without waiting for the receipt, and sprinted

ipped her hands, the thick callus on the inside of her right index finger-worn from years of menial work after being a

rubbed her mother's trembling back, trying t

s and the sharp clack of heels echoed down the s

urls and a face tight with too much Botox. It was Irl Terry, the biological father who had walked out on Jannie and

tively pulled Jannie behind her ba

y moving. "Visiting the old man, of course. And maki

She stepped out from behind her m

ile. "Jannie, look how much yo

sgust. "Jerk. You lost the right

nicured finger toward Jannie's nose. "Is that any way

th red-rimmed eyes. Spotting Irl, she pointed down the ha

em toward the door. "I'm his only son! I can afford

hands against Irl's chest to block him. Seeing this, Corie lunged forwar

k in pain, Corie used the moment

. She stumbled backward and slammed the small of her back an

annie gasped, her face turning gray as cold sweat drenched

to her knees to catch her daughte

neered. "Quit putting on a

her pocket, dialed 911 on speaker, and spoke through clenched teeth. "I need police dispatch to Man

unged for the phone. "Are

ew York Penal Law, disorderly conduct and assault inside a medical f

had come to sniff around for money, not get ar

s sleeve as they backed away toward the elevator

evaporated. Her knees gave out, and she slid down the wall onto the

ff rushed down the hall with a gurney and