PART 3   I stared at the hospital bracelet in the lunchbox until the letters of my own name blurred.

” she said, hugging me too tightly, “you poor thing. This place is a lot to deal with.”

“It is.”

“We should clear it quickly. The landlord won’t wait forever.”

Walter was sitting on the back porch.

Diane saw him through the window and stiffened.

“Why is he still here?”

“His name is Walter.”

She lowered her voice.

“Your mother had a soft heart, but you don’t continue reading …