ld skyscraper

lding walls ar

etchbook open on my lap. But I w

rizing leg

rden was a printout of the state's di

t my days wiping counte

ast six months waking up at 4:00

the nurse walked in t

ttle better today,"

fighter

ke

et a de

mo

d take place. It was the night Garrison plan

the night I

iary and wrot

no one's

rison hosted a welc

ned from a "busine

Lawyers, judges, investors. The people I used to k

ooked right

lack dress. It wa

wore

, surrounded by men who hung on her every word. Garrison stood ne

toasted. "The futu

!" the ro

holding a tray of appet

the woman who c

ayla sp

yes g

, then walked over to me, dragging

fake sweetness. "The party is wonderful. You

eople c

I said evenly. "I am

e about your mother. I am so sorry. But really, Janet, you should not let her c

ghtened on

hose bills," I said. "Garr

er nearby

's face

," he

since I am going to be handling the family trust soon, maybe Janet should ap

d at me e

said. "For stress

m went

ed. The wife a

net, just say you are sorr

e for using my own money

his hand o

neer on Tiffany's

" I

nked. "Ex

rby table. The metal clatter

y penny I have to save her. I have cleaned this house, cooked your meals,

directly

the woman drinking champagne whil

rned to Garrison and

humiliating me.

I didn't s

t my junior year in Lyon s

es she think she is actually Mrs. Gard

ked a

't personal. It was structural. To them

rstand,

d at Ga

out of your

"Janet, stop being dramatic. G

day to me,"

walked out th

go to the

aight into t

stopp

knew it was