wn. Debra and Stella made sure of it, telling anyone who woul

grow up. They knew I had raised that hog, butchered it, and cooked it myself. They h

nce. "Debra, that girl worked her fingers to the bone fo

lect was far more interesting than the story of my

ze-winning 4-H show hog, Big Joe, to pay for their plane ticke

e, I mov

or Michael's house. He was a good man w

ell Big Joe. I need the money

cash, and promised to pick up the hog that afternoon. I t

me by the empty pigpen. His face

s the hog? We ne

d it? When was the last time you sent a dime

athetic. He reached into his wallet and pulled out

ot meeting my gaze. "

st sum of money he had

ecided it was too shameful to leave me behind again. When we arrived at their

n. Hand it over. We need to cov

e month's rent. For a spot on the e

widened i

eed a written receipt. Every month. So there ar

us, but she t

r with a welcome-to-the-neighborhood casserole. Sh

"I'm Jocelyn, ma'am. I'm an orphan. Mr. and Mrs. Johns are my spo

ed with sympathy. My new identity was established. I was the poor,