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

was cruel about him.”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“I was cruel about your mother too.”

I waited.

Diane’s chin trembled.

“I thought I was being practical. But maybe I was just scared that if I admitted she was good, I’d have to admit I wasn’t.”

That was the most honest thing she had ever said to me.

I touched her arm.

“Mom would have fed you too.”

Diane laughed through continue reading …