I tried it, but the next blow came before I could finish.
—You damned sicko!—he shouted, his face red and his eyes wild.—You brought shame to this family.
Appe was crying in my mother’s arms, trembling, saying she was scared. My aunt hugged her and whispered:
—It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re safe now.
My brother, Jake, took a step forward. The saliva fell next to my shoe.
“Get out,” he growled. “You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as us.”
I looked around at all the faces. People I had known all my life. Not one of them even looked at me like family anymore. Just disgust.
Said:
—It’s tedious.
My voice broke.
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