“I’m still here.”

Before we reached home, she asked me the same question four more times.

Chapter 3 — Mature Enough to Accept Less

My name is Amelia Hart. I was thirty-three when the mall incident happened, but inside my family I had been expected to manage things since I was seven.

Kendra was two years younger, yet somehow she remained the child in every room. Her report cards went on the refrigerator, even when my grades were higher.

She got birthday parties at skating rinks while I was told a quiet dinner at home meant more. Whenever Kendra was unhappy, the whole family changed its plans.

Whenever I was hurt, my mother reminded me that I was mature enough to understand.