All Chapters of The Most Sensible Daughter Chose to Die: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

My mind went blank.I was terrified. I had no idea what to do.I struggled to pull the thick, flower-patterned quilt over Grandma's shoulders, hoping to keep her warm.I hurried to turn on the lights, get the fireplace going, and put some water on to boil.The firelight fell across Grandma's face, but her skin was still ice-cold.I unwrapped a piece of candy and was about to offer it to Grandma when my hand trembled, sending it tumbling to the floor.I quickly picked it up, blew off the dust, and held it out to her again. "Grandma, these are butterscotch candies! They're really good. Here, try one!"But Grandma didn't respond. Her body was growing stiffer by the minute.I didn't want to waste the candy, so I popped it into my mouth and bit down hard, tears filling my eyes. "Grandma, smell it. Doesn't it smell good? And it's so easy to chew!"I found Grandma's old cell phone and tried calling Dad, but he didn't answer.The automated voice repeated over and over, "We're sorry.

No, no, no! I haven't even gotten into place yet!I hurried over to Mom and tugged at her sleeve. But my hand passed right through her, grasping nothing but air.Mom glanced at Dad. After a brief hesitation, she said, "Yes, we're all here!"The camera flashed.But I wasn't in the family photo.After they took the photo, I hovered nearby like an unwanted stray, watching them share a happiness that had never included me.Mom gently squeezed Tommy's cheeks as she rubbed lotion onto his face. "Don't get too tan, sweetie. You'll end up looking like Riley, all tan and scruffy like she just came off a farm."Dad smiled proudly at Jessica. "Enjoying the cruise? You've made us so proud!"When you're ready to study abroad, go for it. Don't worry about the money. And if you decide to stay there, that's fine, too."Jessica gave him a playful pout. "But what about you guys?"Mom chuckled. "What's there to worry about? We still have Riley. She's never been any trouble. Don't worry."Dad n

"That's not Riley. It can't be her…" Mom shook her head, repeating the words under her breath.The officer opened his notebook, his voice grave as he began to speak. "Our investigation indicates that Helen Jagger died of a heart attack around noon on Christmas Eve. That means Helen was already dead when Riley got to her house. "Riley spent the night alone with Helen's body. Shortly before midnight, she ingested pesticide and left a suicide note."Mom's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.The officer pulled out a clear evidence bag. Inside was a crumpled sheet of notebook paper covered in shaky handwriting. "This is the note she left behind. You should read it yourselves."Mom reached for the bag, but her body swayed, and she couldn't manage to stand.Dad rushed forward without looking at Mom. He took the evidence bag in both hands, trembling as he read the note aloud."Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I wasn't good enough. You couldn't count on me…"You trusted me to take care

But as Mom and Dad cried, their grief slowly turned into anger.Dad suddenly pulled away from Mom and snapped, "Didn't I tell you to call Riley on Christmas Eve? You said she was a good kid and we had nothing to worry about! Well, where is she now? Where is she?"Mom jerked her head up, her voice rising. "Oh, so now it's my fault? Who told the whole family that Riley was the one we could always count on? Who left her at the bus station all alone without even looking back?""This is all your fault!" Dad shouted. "Tommy has more shoes than he knows what to do with, while Riley had to wear Jessica's old ones until her feet were covered in blisters! Did you ever care?"Mom fired back, "Oh, and you're such a wonderful father? You claim you don't play favorites, but all you ever cared about were Jessica's grades! When was the last time you even asked how Riley was doing in school?""That doesn't mean you had to make her do every damn chore in the house!""And what about you? You only b