My parents forced me to stay home to feed the dog and water the plants while the whole family went on vacation. When I asked why, my sister said, “That’s your role in this house.”

last box. It was light. Almost empty. A few books, a winter scarf, a framed photo of me at seventeen that I decided not to keep.

Vanessa followed me to the stairs. “Mom’s not doing well.”

“Then help her.”

“She wants you.”

“She wanted me available,” I said. “That’s not the same thing.”

Outside, Hannah waited beside her car, and Buster sat proudly in the continue reading …