expensive perfume and the low

thin folder to her che

community health clinic, something she thought he

ard tonight, somethi

le, her dress

oom, tall and confident, a g

th a group of men

was

ard, a security guard, big and i

iss. Priv

Harrison for a moment," Emily s

impo

e guard said, his eyes fli

miliar voice cut

l, what ha

Emily's stepsister,

he lights, a stark contras

smile was p

, Emily? Looking fo

the sound of B

and distant,

d shown his fr

this?" he asked, his v

his arm, her face

Just like her mother always did. She'

flin

t wanted t

voice loud enough for

these pathetic attempts. I am done support

, Brittany's mother, had been taking the small amount

y," Emily managed,

a prop

d," David said, hi

k on her, pulling

art. Don't let her

ay, showering her wit

something that made her laugh, a bright, carefree sou

mily a final, dismissive

he folder slipping f

ttered on the

ed plan, her tiny spar

hest, a tightness that had nothin

ching hollowness