respectful. It started with small things, refusing

I hoped might impress the committee at the Institute. Cody walked in

ng?" he asked, crumbs

l," I said, my voice ti

unt Ronnie says handmade stuff is usu

tacky, Cody.

I have money for the new video ga

e clearly, "I don' t have extra money for video games right n

" he scoffed. "Dad does all the

because they were a distorted echo of what Ethan must h

e living room floor. He ignored me. When I asked again, more firmly, he

ed. "Dad says I don' t have to listen

sorted fabric squares, sending them flying. "This stuff is stupid! I wish Aunt

t it was the intent behind

t-year-

n angry. "Don't you ever, ever

ow deeply I' d lost him. He didn' t see me as his mother, not really. He saw me

' s going on here?" he asked, his eyes immediately

nting an accusing finger. "And she said m

d, "what did you say to him?" He d

Veronica was his mother! He pushed me!" My voi

tainly not sympathetic. He put a hand on Cody' s shoulder.

iumphant smirk an

e hard. "You need to stop upsett

Ethan! He said

cattered fabric squares, his movements careless. "Maybe if you weren't so

ion, my potential liveli

e ringing with Cody's cruel words and Ethan' s complete invalidation. The physical pain in my arm where Cod