Chapter 5

I dragged myself through the front door of my parents' modest suburban home, exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin. All I wanted was a hot shower, maybe a glass of wine, and the blessed oblivion of sleep. What I got instead was my mother's shrill voice cutting through the hallway before I'd even closed the door.

"There she is! Our daughter who threw away the chance of a lifetime!"

I closed my eyes briefly, summoning what little strength I had left. "Not tonight, Mom. Please."

My father emerged from the living room, newspaper clutched in his hand like…