Chapter 3

I drifted above the cruise ship, watching them laugh and raise their glasses. I suddenly remembered all the times I'd been praised for being such an easy child.

On my first night back in the city at six years old, I wanted everyone to like me, so I knelt in the bathroom and hand-washed the family's laundry.

My fingers turned white and wrinkled, and my knees ached from kneeling so long.

Then Jessica shrieked, "Mom! She's going to ruin my dress!"

Mom didn't scold me. She just laughed and pulled Jessica into her arms. "What's the big deal? Where else would you find a little sister so helpful? We can always buy you another dress."

When I was eight years old, I helped cook Thanksgiving dinner for our relatives.

Hot oil splattered onto my wrist, leaving a painful burn.

From the living room, Mom called proudly, "Riley has always been so independent. She can cook, clean, you name it! Riley, why don't you make everyone some garlic butter shrimp?"

I bit my lip and stayed quiet. I didn't want to ruin her mood.

Even now, I still have the scar…

Mom and Dad never had to worry about Tommy's kindergarten projects. I always volunteered to do them for him.

Last Christmas, I stayed up until midnight making decorations for his class party.

The next day, he trampled them in front of his classmates and laughed.

Dad only frowned. "Tommy, watch it. What if Riley stops helping you with homework?"

Jessica was their pride and joy, the daughter who always made them look good.

Tommy was the little miracle Mom and Dad had been waiting for.

And then there was me—just the daughter born in between.

Jessica was five years older than me, and Tommy was five years younger.

I was just the kid in the middle, neither the favorite nor the baby. I had to be extra well-behaved and helpful just to feel like I belonged.

Mom and Dad were always telling everyone how easy I was to raise.

But they never once wondered why I never gave them any trouble.

I kept drifting until I found myself back outside Grandma's house.

Grandma's neighbor, Linda Moore, stopped by with a holiday basket of fruit and snacks.

No one answered. Buddy stood guard at the door, growling softly.

Afraid of Buddy, Linda left the basket on the porch and hurried away.

She'd been so close…

If only she'd opened the door, she would've found Grandma and me. She could've called my parents and told them what had happened!

But now, all we could do was lie motionless on the bed, our bodies growing cold as the smell of decay slowly filled the room.

Stray dogs prowled outside, and only Buddy's fierce vigilance kept them away.

"Three, two, one! Say cheese!"

Dad's laughter pulled me back to the cruise ship.

They were taking a family photo.

Dad had his arm around Jessica, while Mom held Tommy. All four of them were grinning from ear to ear.

The photographer asked, "Is everyone here?"