ARIA
The car key rolled over my fingers like a lucky coin as I walked down the stairs. It still felt strange, cold metal that meant something I had never had before. It felt like a small piece of freedom.
Today was the first day of my life that I was doing something for myself. I had a job at the hospital. I had a car. I should have been floating in the air.
Instead, the living room smelled of butter and popcorn, and Gwen sat on the couch with her legs folded under her, stuffing handfuls of it into her mouth while she scrolled through her phone.
She didn’t look up when I came in. That was fine. I tried to pass by, but of course, she had to speak.
“Going somewhere?” she called without taking her eyes off the screen.
I stopped and turned, keeping my voice even. “Good morning.”
She f
