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“Okay, what now?”

I went to the cupboard first and found a couple cans of vegetable soup and ravioli in one, unused seasoning packets and ketchup in another Nothing useful In the fridge, I found the perfect substitute Chocolate syrup I turned the plastic bottle over and in , I carefully dribbled out MOLLY over the reddish s, but at least ht name on it

The name of the coolest sister ever

The front screen door sainst the trailer’s doorframe before a fairl?” Slurred but happy words carried through the entire trailer, and I sighed, bracing myself for whatever came next

We were used to it Mo and stinky old men

“Molly? Get out here so I can see how pretty you look today!”

The door to our shared bedroom opened, and Molly’s footsteps sounded down the hall “What’s up, Mom?”

Moeous At least your father gave me one beautiful child Happy thirteenth birthday, baby!” Mo

“Thanks,” Molly whispered, returning Mo before she turned quickly away

Mo a little, her sly down at Molly “Cake is in the fridge and ice crearill, buns and chips are set out on the picnic table, the one without the broken leg, and I even o see”

Before Molly could object, Mom pulled her out of the trailer and around back to the park with one working swing, aslide and rusted monkey bars “What do you think, honey?”

“It’s great, Mom Thank you” I knew Molly didn’t mean it, but we both kneas easier to say it, than to riskMom mad, especially after she’d had a few drinks

An hour and four more beers later, Mom was totally drunk, and Molly was super eh she wasn’t friends with most of the kids in the trailer park