Brenda was alrea

paying for that door you broke," she sneered, shoving a newsp

local state college, just as David had "s

, this time) room, I meticulously completed appl

d me a job

sgirl at a greasy d

Brenda said with a cruel smile. "Long hou

en, sometimes twelve hou

hot water and harsh soap.

ways loud, always smelling of

cated every c

e cash. "And for your room and board. D

eement" or my future riches

came an even gr

t 4:30 AM, bang

for your father and br

wouldn't get home until

allowed to ea

slide me a plate with the smallest portions, often

ting fat," she'd sa

nstantly

sneak leftover scraps from pl

I' d eat food from the discar

ed, but the hu

t care. He got his hot meals, his clean clothes,

, only speaking to me

home, a workhorse design

d sleep, I' d look at the brochures from the far

. Engin

feren

to survive