Family's Dark Secret

t 3:07 PM. "SAT Sco

ok as I clic

was the good kind. Top percentile

a moment, I let m

t roast usually made me happy. T

face a mask of quiet disappointment. She'd b

ws contained, but a small

lattered ont

ng funny

was low,

ad. Ju

ing a hard time, and you'

mily. A little sensitivity wouldn't kill yo

glistening. "It's okay, Au

s "fine." Alw

aid, his gaze fixed on me. "Some pe

out your attitude, Emily. Go down

base

old furniture, and a

knew about my

uch," Mom started, a flick

ier looking for an old board game. It's not too bad. I even

w it. But th

ce harde

behind me, the click of the

ard their voic

ct for you, Jess. We can drive up next wee

laptop you wanted for your a

nning a trip.

single, dim bulb's light. The old gas boiler in the corner

ighten. A familiar,

Dad! Mom! It's really h

le

nt sound of t

r. "Please! I n

f the garage door opening, then

ere le

actually

ricked my skin. My breathing gre

ow Jessica mentioned. It was stuffed shu

bloc

d. Not just f

with us, after her parents d

ar." Mom would bake my favo

ica's because she "needed more space for her things." My a

e grinning between Mom and Dad, were slowly replaced

ce I was ten, was given away. "Jessica's terribly

once around him. She

re gone. And

every scrap of air in t