snappe

ling wa

g, the one with the water st

my head

t... younge

edding ring. No calluses f

sk, an acceptance letter to the lo

uation. That had

y I was supposed to fill

life truly began i

ed over me. I rem

ngs. The way my mother, Brenda

d, never lookin

golden boy, expecting

ther' s deliberate cruelty, letting me bleed,

I know

... I w

on the door

lications filled out for the community c

en

chalkboard, a sound I tho

to grip me, but the memory of my d

ouldn't live t

bed, my legs

ty college," I said, my v

the doorknob ra

say, you ung

d from the outside

e in when she wanted t

ur-year university," I calle

go to the local college, get a job, and start co

Help with a down payment on a house.

I would s