And I had run into the burning house and pulled my sister out, and been badly hurt doing it, and spent six weeks in a hospital afterward while my body slowly learned to live inside its new scars.

In that version, Jessica was a tragic survivor.

She received sympathy, and flowers, and gentle treatment for years afterward.

And my parents received something they valued even more than sympathy: praise, endless praise, for the dignity and strength with which they had kept their family together through such a terrible accident.

The story of the lake-house fire became a cornerstone of the Halston family legend, the trial that proved how strong and loving we all were.

There was only one thing wrong with that beautiful story.