Prologue
Thirty years ago
“I’m sorry, boys. Your mom hasn’t updated your accounts.” I glance at my twin brother Warren, with my stomach growling and worry already filling my eyes with tears.
We haven’t eaten since Saturday night when we shared the last of the cereal we found in the cabinet. It’s Monday lunchtime now. School used to be the one place we knew we’d get a meal, but lately, Mom has been forgetting to pay for our lunches.
Just like she forgets to come home too.
“Mom said she was calling today.” Warren lies to the lunch lady, who smiles and nods at us.
“Okay, you two grab some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, and milk each.” She writes our names down in her notebook along with what we owe and waves us off.
“Here,” Warren passes me a tray, and we quickly take the items we were told.
“We’ll split mine and save yours for later.” I nod, knowing this game well.
Mom hasn’t been home for as long as we can remember, and Dad left before either of us can remember. She’s always working, and at nine years old, we’ve gotten the hang of taking care of ourselves. But recently it’s gotten so much worse.
Last week, the lights went out and never came back on. We lost the little food we had in the freezer and refrigerator. The soap and canned veggies we ate were cold since the stove is electric. We’re down to a few crackers now.
“It’s going to be okay. We’ll go get something with our birthday money.” Warren splits the sandwich in half and cuts the apple into four pieces.
“I found a twenty-dollar bill under the couch a while back. I hid it for emergencies.” I confess my secret stash to him with a smile as I bite into the fresh bread.
“Dare, it won’t always be like this. You’ll see.” I nod as I chew.
“I know War. But we’ll always be together to take care of one another.” We bump fists as we eat before going back to class.
After school, we go to the grocery store and get what we can with the fifty dollars we have. Mom never comes home, and ten days after the power goes out, the landlord comes looking for the rent. Finding us alone in the dark, he calls the cops.
We’re taken by child protective services to our grandparents a week later. Mom had told us they were dead long ago and that we had no family that could help.
Turns out that was a big fat lie. She’s the one the cops found dead about two months after we arrived at our new home. It stunned our grandparents, and they cried over their daughter as they told us. I don’t think War or I shed one tear at the news, but one thing I do remember is this…
We never missed a meal again.