Chapter 4

My stuffed tiger was worn and faded, with frayed fur and one eye missing. It looked nothing like the one Nancy carried around.

In the bathroom, Nancy was playing with the bubbles in the tub.

"Mom, you and Dad have raised me since I was little, right?" she asked.

"We raised both of you—"

Nancy cut her off. "No, you didn't! Jenny didn't come back until later. I'm your real daughter!"

She slapped at the water, splashing it everywhere and spraying Mom right in the face. The moment she noticed the corners of Mom's mouth turn down, she got up and wrapped her arms around Mom's neck.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I was wrong. I'm just scared I'm going to lose you and Dad. Can things go back to the way they were? Just you, Dad, and me?"

She reached up and touched Mom's cheek.

Mom sat her back down in the tub and rinsed the bubbles off her.

"Okay, okay. I understand. Your dad and I have been so focused on Jenny lately that we haven't given you enough attention. Why don't the three of us go to the amusement park tomorrow?"

Mom turned off the water and blow-dried Nancy's hair.

"Just us? We're not taking Jenny?" Nancy asked, tilting her head.

"That's right. Just like before. Just you, your dad, and me. No Jenny."

Mom opened up a large bath towel, wrapped Nancy in it, and carried her back to her room.

"Mom, I'm just scared of losing you and Dad. I'm not trying to compete with Jenny for your attention. One of the volunteers told me Jenny's been through a lot.

"After we go to the amusement park, you and Dad should still take care of her, okay? I feel bad for her too. I heard she used to get beaten all the time and locked in a dark room."

Tears rolled down Mom's cheeks. I reached up to wipe them away, but my hand passed straight through her.

After Nancy fell asleep, Mom came to my bedroom door. She stood there for a few seconds before knocking.

"Jenny, you haven't eaten all day, have you? Want me to make you some chicken noodle soup?"

When I didn't answer, she sighed and headed for the kitchen.

A little while later, she came back with a steaming bowl and knocked again.

"Jenny, come eat something. I added extra chicken, just the way you like it. Come out and eat while it's still hot. I left out the celery because I know you don't like it."

I reached for the bowl, but my fingers passed straight through it. No matter how many times I tried, I couldn't take it from her.

There was no response from inside the room.

Mom's face hardened. She turned and dumped the soup into the trash. "Fine. Don't eat. Back in that backwater, you couldn't even get an egg."

I smiled bitterly.

Mom was right. After I was trafficked there, I barely ever got to eat eggs.

Instead, I heard things like this all the time.

"I paid all that money for you, and you still think you deserve an egg?" the man snapped, taking another swig of liquor.

Too afraid to argue, I said quietly, "I just gave birth. I need to eat something nutritious so I can make enough milk for the baby."

I didn't know what I'd said to set him off. He threw his drink in my face, stormed over, and started hitting me. He hit me again and again.

Afraid of scaring the baby, I bit down hard and forced myself not to make a sound. But the baby felt me shaking and started wailing anyway.

"The baby? You're using that kid as an excuse now? Fine! I'll throw him to the dogs right now. Then let's see what excuse you come up with next time you ask me for food, you bitch!"

He ripped the baby out of my arms.

"No!"