“That broke Mom,” she said, her voice slightly hoarse. She laid her own arm across Chara's shoulders, pulling her in tighter. Her head nestled into the crook of her shoulder. “She loved that boy so much. After Billy died, she just pulled away from everything. All she would do was sit on the couch and watch her shows on TV.
“Dad didn't last long after that. He died when I was seventeen. Liver cancer and cirrhosis. It was a mercy by then, to be honest.
“So all I have left of my family is Mom and Tony. Mom sits in the trailer park and collects her welfare checks. Tony is my youngest brother. He held up a liquor store and got sent to prison two years back. He never was any good.” Her lips pressed tightly together in dislike.
“And you?” Chara's soft voice broke into her reverie.
“I got out.
