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“No,” I say again

I feel like a broken record

I feel like I’m completely on repeat

I don’t want to go with Uncle Frank I don’t want to leave ? That doesn’t sound like a good idea That soundshorrible

“Mama,” I whisper

“It’s time,” she says

Mama stands up and brushes off her skirt She seee the way this thing is playing out What did Ma with me?

Even though she hasn’t expressly said it, I can tell fro that this is soe my whole world

She’s not co with me

Aain?

A man steps out from the shadows behind her, and I realize that this is theme to

“Hello, Adalee,” he says in a flat, uninterested tone “It’s tio”

Chapter One

Adalee