From Ashes: My Unclaimed Life

ny Evans, who lived three houses down on Maple Street, co

range look in her eyes, t

ce low and serious, "I ne

icking at a

o happen to you? All the good thin

ling like the cheap lollipops her mo

now. I'm ta

talking about, Britt? Th

knowing smile that didn't

m did

e foreman position at the steel plant, the one he' d wor

he job. Mark, who' d only been at the plant for five

at at the kitchen table, staring at his hands. Susan, Em' s mom, pu

as announced. Susan Carter' s apple pie was legendar

a full campaign. She passed out glossy flyers wi

saw Sharon preening at the next PTA meeting, alrea

ay, for home. It tasted just a

g things. They st

knack for science. Britt, on the other hand, struggled. She' d stare out the win

ia set donated by a "local business," Britt' s name was called. Her project, a mes

ardware store was l

f the solar system she' d spent w

the classroom or the street and g

smile of someone who knew the answers t

nest and hardworking, felt the squeeze like everyone else. But for the Evanses, things

dread that smile. It felt like a p