oom, the sting on m

. Basic furniture, plain walls. A stark contrast to Ashley' s redecor

ggling. They sent me away to live with Great Aunt Millie, a

Mom had said, not meeting my

me there. Aunt Millie was kind but poor and sick herse

hley, then a bubbly pre-teen, was the center of their univers

buzzed. I

ip. Maybe he was calling to chec

cold. "What the hell

okay?" Not "W

ion. Your mother is furiou

re no mushrooms

ranoid about your sister. She' s trying to build a career, she' s und

e me. It was a pattern. Ashley' s "needs," Ashley'

For all

clarity. He wasn't my partner.

, my voice flat

considerate, okay?" h

in my journal. Each one a testament to my