They Had Me Thrown Out of My Own Lake House

prettier, louder, and better at crying on command.

When we were kids in Naperville, she learned fast what worked on our mother.

A tremble in the chin. A hand to the chest. “I don’t know why Avery is being so mean.”

And then Mom would come down like weather.

Dad saw it. He used to see everything.

He’d wait until Mom left the room and mutter, “Your sister continue reading …