Chapter 4

That year, Hayden fell into the pond.

I got beaten for it, but he didn't have it any better.

He was sent to the city hospital, in critical condition all night—he almost died.

The day he came home from the hospital, Mom made a big meal and, for the first time, called me to the table to eat with them.

I was so hungry that I was dizzy. I didn't care what they were up to. I just sat down and started shoveling food into my mouth.

Hayden sat beside me, watching me quietly with the same gentle look as…