“Stop overreacting, you’re ruining her day!” my mother hissed, grabbing my hair and pushing me over the balcony railing at my sister’s party. I blacked out. When I woke up, the upscale venue was surrounded by federal agents, and my mother was sobbing on her knees while my sister held a document and begged me…

like skeletal fingers grasping at the gray sky.

In the backseat, Lucas nervously adjusted the collar of his navy suit. I had spent hours picking it out, pairing it with a pale blue silk tie. He looked like a miniature diplomat.

“Is my tie straight, Mom?” he asked, his small fingers fidgeting with the silver pin on his lapel.

“You look perfect, sweetheart,continue reading …