It doesn’t matter what she says, because I’m an adult now, but I’d like her to be okay with it. Or at least not hate me for it. What I want, truly, is to have a relationship with her. To get to know her. But that can’t happen when I’m forced to be here. It will happen, but only after I can finish high school and figure out my future.

There was a period of time when I didn’t know where I came from, but I do know where I’m going, and I want Paula to be part of that.

I want my mother to be part of that.

“Smells delicious,” Craig says as he comes downstairs, with Paula following him. When they see the spread of food before them, Craig shakes his head. “Okay, who’s failing what?”

“Craig.” Paula playfully taps him on the shoulder. “This is wonderful, girls.” She picks up a plate and starts helping herself to the cheesy scrambled eggs I made.

“Good morning,” a voice comes from the dining room.

Paula turns around. “Mom? What on earth are you doing here?”

Grandma Amanda takes a plate. “Why, I’m here to eat this delicious breakfast my granddaughters made.”

With plates piled with food, the five of us sit down at the dining room table, which I made up like the first meal we had here.

“This is such a treat,” Paula says.

I can’t look at her. I know she’s going to be devastated. Although she can’t possibly be happy about our current living situation, either.

Silence falls over the table as everybody dives in, while I fidget with my napkin under the table.

“What’s everybody got planned for this weekend?” Craig asks. “We’ve got a Lions game on Sunday, right? Think I might try to beer-boil some brats.”

“Honey?” Paula asks me. “You’re white as a ghost. What’s going on?”

I try to talk, but my mouth feels like cotton. I take a sip of water. “I need to talk to you.”

Paula and Craig exchange a look. “Is everything okay at school?”

“Yes. Actually, no.”

“What’s wrong? Should we talk to your guidance counselor? I’m sure we can look at your classes, or if you need a tutor, we can also do that. You’re a very smart girl, it just takes time—”

“Mom,” Sarah interrupts. “Please let Ally talk. And you need to listen to her.”

“But I always listen when—”

“Mom,” Sarah says firmly.

Paula closes her mouth and leans back in her chair.

This is it. There’s no going back. As much as I want to walk out without an explanation, I need to do this. For both of us.

“I’m eighteen now.”

“Yes, we—” Paula begins before Sarah cuts her off with a groan. “Sorry, continue.”