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

was taking them for pizza. I asked if I could come.”

Her eyes filled with tears that clung stubbornly to her lashes.

“Grandma said, ‘No. You’re the one causing trouble today, so you stay and clean up the mess.’ Then she pointed at the pool and put the brush in my hand.”

“And they left you there?” Ethan asked quietly.

Amelia nodded.

“They said if I finished continue reading …