inconvenienced her expectations.”
Ava called in December. She was twelve, old enough to remember more than adults wished and young enough to still believe everyone might become kind by Christmas. “Grandma?” she said, and my whole body went still. “Mom doesn’t know I’m calling.”
“Are you safe?”
“Yes. I’m at Emma’s.”
“How are you, sweetheart?”
A pause. Then,continue reading …
