Refurbished

ossed her air mattress and backpack into the back seat’s open window and got in. She gr

me what I can and can’t do

the h*ll away. She was not about to be emotionally manipulated. Her dad soon showed up behind her mom, putting a tanned hand on her shoulder to comfort his wife. Aliyah watched for a moment with anger still fur

cial worker like her parents encouraged her to do, all she’d heard from them was how she wouldn’t see much profit from the way she was working, and if she wasn’t going to make much money on her own she’d need to f

off her back. They didn’t seem to understand that she could take care of herself and that she was happiest living her life as she chose. Her sis

e’d listen to the messages at the next stop. Maybe she’d listen to them in a couple o

and miles and miles spotted with cows. Aliyah grew tired, knowing she wouldn’t make it much farther. She was almost relieved when her ph

e said ca

at? You could have at least waited until I got done with w

teresting call. At least she wasn’

saying anything to you but I reall

f a pause before

a place of love. You know they struggled to get to

iant green dinosaur, she finally let go of some tension. She cried for a

y McDonald’s napkin from the pass

an’t do something. You’re doing everything they wanted us to do: you’re a nurse practitioner, you

you to do. I just want you to understand where the

ained tone and instan

understand money, but I’m not looking for a job that’s just gonna make me rich. I do what I do because it makes me feel good. Can you say the same about what you’re doing? Yeah, you help people, but do you even actually care about them?” Aliyah didn’t wait for a response. “

e disturbed by any other calls. It was shortly after 10:30, and she’d been

. It was light and dreamless, bu

dark, she was awakened by a