Chapter 16

Mom looks thin.

“I’m divorcing your father. I still want to take care of you.”

“I don’t think that would be a very good idea.”

Mom starts crying.

“But it’s not working out for me.”

“You’ve been too much to bear.”

Mom hugs me.

“I do not need you anymore.”

“I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and never to have you harmed again. I love you!”

She is crying. But her love isn’t real.

“It’s okay,” I replied. “You can go now.”

Mom doesn’t stop talking.

Chad, Carter, and Mom are still suffering. And Brittany?

She did something that I’ll never forget.