Home Entertainment Game Technology Advertisement Part 2: For eight years, my parents made me leave the house every time my brother brought his fiance over; Mom said, “She comes from a good family, don’t embarrass us”; Dad added, “Just disappear for the weekend”; I did; then one weekend, I never came back; it took them four years to find out where I went.

“Mom did.”

“Why?”

“Because she needed an explanation in case someone mentioned you.”

I laughed bitterly.

“Dead in one story.”

“Atlanta in another.”

“Alive when rent was due.”

Mitch closed his eyes.

“Yes.”

I slid the letter toward him.

“When did you learn about the insurance?”

“About a month after the claim.”

“You were an adult.”

“Yes.”

“Did you tell Avery?”

“No.”

“Police?”

“No.”

“Me?”

“No.”

“Grandma?”

“Not then.”

“Then eight years later, you signed an affidavit saying I was dead so you could take my inheritance.”

Mitch looked up.

“I didn't want the land.”

I almost laughed.

“Then why sign?”

“Dad said if the estate lawyer investigated, everything would come out.”

I leaned forward.

“That was supposed to be the point.”

Mitch cried.

“I know.”

“No.”

“You know now.”

He nodded.

Fair.

Then I asked the question that mattered more than money.

“Did you ever want me gone?”

His face broke.