Chapter 11 Advice From A Friend

• Annie
• "Are you sure you're going to be okay today, honey?" My mother places her left hand on my shoulder and her right on the doorknob as she searches my face for any sign that I'm in emotional distress and need her to stay home from work. Of course, she isn't going to find it. Even though I'm practically shitting bricks about what's going to go down in a few hours with Daniel, I'll never show it to her, or anyone else for that matter.
• Instead of cueing her in on how fucked up my life has become, I just nod and smile. "Of course, mom. You have a long shift at the hospital. Don't you worry about me, I'll be fine."