t matched the frantic rhythm of my he

hispered, the wor

u don't show my mother some

mmediately collapsed onto the edg

er eyes squeezed shut. "She's trying to kill me, Matty!

but Matthew bought it completely. His eyes, full

ng her back. "It's okay, Ma

She's faking it, Matthew. There's nothing wrong with h

ipped of all the affec

p and precise. "If she wanted a Thanksgiving dinner, you, her son, sh

into real sobs of rage. She p

a bad son! She thinks she's better than u

s the t

th a rage I had never seen

iolently in my hair. He yanked my head

n your fancy condo with your trust fund mo

oom and through the living room I had so carefully d

n the front door, still ho

learn some resp

again. Then, with a final, brutal shove, he threw me out into

r, my hip and elbow taking the brunt of the

t. I heard the deadb

e done!" he yelled through the door. "Don't come b

humiliated, and lock