At 2 P.M., I Walked Into My Parents’ Backyard Expecting To Pick Up My 8-

toward my younger brother, the way they treated money like a scorecard. But we were out of options, and when it came to Amelia’s safety, I still believed, naively, that her grandparents would at least be decent.

When I called, my dad didn’t sound thrilled at first.

“Amelia. On Sunday?” he grumbled. “We had plans.”

I swallowed my pride.

“It’s just for a continue reading …