a

rs. The two-story home was once considered a beautiful house in a nice neighborhood. Over the years, the neighborhood had become less affluent and

off. They w

If I waited for someone to answer, I could be waiting

noring. I flipped on a light, not wanting to step on him in case he had passed out on the floor. I spott

om

heard he

at the kitchen table with an empty cup in her

me,” she said. “

hat you cured with you

ays smarter than everyone else. You don’t know what it’s like to l

che, I take a couple Advil. I d

re me? I know, I know, you hate me. Your parents are a

aged to stick in that empty

empty cup. I watched her, waiting for her to figure out it was empty. Sh

the Kendell house. They had probably started partying on Friday and we

t of there,”

s a mess. It was always a mess. I pushed open my father’s office door and gagged. The smell of stale alcohol and what smelled a

ed through the scattered papers and wadded-up napkins. I didn’t want to know. I just wanted the stupid book. I knew exactly what it looked

ink, loading dishes into the dishwasher. “Hayden!” I exclai

lept and missed the bu

n this shithole. We had talked with my parents about letting her come to live with me in the past, but they’d always refused. The

ing my tone. “Why don’

t my mom, th

get your

ith a curious expr

you will be com

widened.

a smile. “Le

ther asked, apparently comi

o Hayden, who was still standing in front of the sink. I could see the uncertain

re?” she me

posit

t of the kitchen, and the sound of her footsteps running upstairs followed. I turned to look at

, I

kid!” sh

her go with me and I won’t call the police. If you want

s going to have a heart

ll up, and let me try to help this gir

She was too stoned to do a damn thing about it and we both knew it. Hayden appeared in the kitchen

asked her w

as back to staring into her cup. The hurt on Hayden’s face almost killed me. I q