CHAPTER 4
NATALIA
I stared outside at the darkness. Dusk eclipsed the gorgeous scene that existed just beyond a film of shadows. The house phone was pressed to my ear as I listened to Mom’s whispered excuses.
“I’m sorry, baby.” She said, her voice slow and unsteady. I could tell that she’d been drinking. Mom’s addiction to booze was the reason Dad had won sole custody of me.
Mom’s life was one big train wreck and she’d given birth to another. I had no respect for her. On some days, I thought I hated her. On days like today, I knew she still had a hold on me.
“Mom, you promised that you’d come down for the weekend. You can’t cancel now. Tomorrow’s Thursday, you said we’d kick start the weekend early.”
“I know.” Mom sighed, her crisp American accent soothing in my ears. “I know I said
