"What do you want to eat tonight? Fried chicken or something Western?"
My uncle scooped Lily into his arms as he spoke, and he and Aunt Melissa walked out of the room without a backward glance.
Through the haze, I thought I saw Mom.
Mom, please take me with you. I don't want to stay at Uncle's house.
I don't care how hard things are, as long as I can be with you.
Those were the words I'd said to her two years ago, when she came home for the New Year.
She had stroked my forehead gently.
"Be a good girl, Blanche. Mommy's working in Eastford State. I'm still sharing a dorm with my coworkers—there's really no other way right now."
"Besides, you have school. I can't find you a good school over there."
"Just be good and stay with your uncle. Listen to what he says. Once Mommy gets a raise, I promise I'll come back for you."
I had kept my head down, watching my tears splatter against the floor in heavy drops.
After Dad died, Mom had shouldered the burden of raising me all on her own.
I knew how hard she worked. So I never dared to ask for anything more.
But Mom... I really, really miss you.
When I woke again, it was already dark.
I was startled to find that all the pain in my body had vanished.
Then I turned—and saw myself lying motionless on the floor, the phone watch still clutched in my hand.
In that moment, I understood.
I was dead.
I crouched down beside my own body.
My eyes were still open, empty and staring. A pool of dark red had spread beneath my lips, seeping into the floorboards.
Even I found the sight terrifying.
Through the fog in my mind, I remembered the last phone call I'd made to Mom. Her answer.
"Okay."
I didn't have time to mourn my own death. I rushed to the front door.
Mom said she would come. I had to wait for her here.
I waited at the door for what felt like forever. But the first figures I saw were my uncle and his family.
Lily was nestled happily in his arms.
"Daddy, that burger was so yummy! Can we go again next time?"
His face was soft with affection.
"Of course, of course. Whenever my little princess wants to go, we'll go."
I didn't want to pay them any attention. All I wanted was to wait for Mom.
But I realized that ever since they came home, my body had been following them against my will—as if I were tethered to them.
The moment they stepped through the door, Aunt Melissa smiled and took Lily from him.
"Alright, little piggy, it's late. Mommy's going to give you a bath."
"We'll get our precious girl all nice and clean."
Watching the adoration on her face, my tears fell before I could stop them—heavy, uncontrollable.
Even though Mom sent money for my living expenses, to them, I had always been nothing but a burden.
My uncle and aunt weren't kind people. They beat me, screamed at me—that was just how it was. But every ounce of love they had, they poured into Lily.
I was so jealous.
So, so jealous.
I quietly wiped the tears from my face.
So even the dead can cry.
Aunt Melissa carried Lily into the bathroom and spotted the dirty clothes still sitting in the wash basin.
The warmth on her face vanished instantly.
"That little brat. She really thinks she's something now."
She set Lily down, then turned toward the storage room and screamed.
"Blanche! You think you can throw a tantrum now? Your uncle only hit you a few times! Is that really such a big deal?"
"Nine years old with an attitude like this—what's going to become of you?"
"I tell you to wash a few clothes and you leave them sitting here? What, do I owe you something?"
My uncle had just sat down on the couch and was about to light a cigarette. Hearing the shouting, he immediately stood and walked toward the bathroom.
