Died to Be Loved

I don't know how long it took before the car stopped.

I waited and waited. No one opened the trunk. I climbed into the back seat and got out.

Mom looked at me all mad. "If you mess up Nina's blankets, you'll regret it!"

Then I remembered something.

I turned and ran back inside.

I rushed in. The gold certificate was still on the floor.

I grabbed it and ran to my room.

I closed my eyes and tore it.

Faster. Harder.

Until it was just scraps. No way to fix it.

My chest didn't feel so squished after that.

I took out the painting. It showed all four of us sitting in the sun.

I touched it over and over, but I couldn't tear it.

I folded it nice and hid it under my pillow.

At dinner, Mom set a big plate of garlic butter steak in front of me. "Finish it. Every piece."

The plate was huge. Bigger than my face.

Then she went into Nina's room.

I grabbed my fork and shoved the biggest piece into my mouth.

It was too much. My stomach felt like it would pop.

Dad leaned in, voice low. "If you can't finish, don't force it. I'll help."

He just reached his fork out when Mom came out. "Daniel! What are you doing?"

She stepped over and hit my face with a spoon.

Half my face went numb. I sucked in a breath.

Tears filled my eyes, but I pushed them back. 'No crying. If I cry, Mom gets madder.

Mom put her hands on her hips. "Already pulling tricks? Don't wanna eat meat? If you don't eat, where's your sister's blood gonna come from?"

Dad stood up. "Why are you hitting her? Did she say she wouldn't eat? She's just a kid. That plate's enough for two adults!"

Mom shouted, crying, "You think I want this? I just want Nina to live! Is that wrong?"

Dad dropped back into his chair and covered his face.

I watched them fight.

Then I grabbed the rest of the steak and shoved it in my mouth.

The pieces were too big. I almost choked.

But I swallowed it. "Mom, I finished. Don't fight."

Her eyes were red when she came over and pulled me close.

She was warm. Soft.

My cheek pressed against her. The pain faded.

"Good girl. Chloe's a good girl. Mommy knows."

I nodded hard in her arms.

After dinner, I took blood like always and got it ready for Mom.

She was on the phone and waved me over. "Chloe, come here. It's Grandma."

My eyes lit up.

Before I turned three, Grandma took care of me.

Then she got sick and went back home. We never saw her again.

"Grandma!"

My nose stung.

Her soft voice came through. "Chloe, my sweet girl, are you okay? Are you eating enough?"

I nodded fast. "I'm good. I even won first place!"

As soon as I said it, I wished I didn't.

Mom frowned next to me.

But Grandma laughed. "I knew it. Our Chloe's the best!"

I held the phone tight. "Grandma, I dreamed about you last night. You gave me meatballs. They smelled so good."

Grandma's voice shook. "I miss you too. When I feel better, I'll come see you."

The call ended. My tears almost fell.

That night, I slept really good.

In my dream, Grandma came.

She held a plate of hot meatballs and smiled. "Chloe, come eat."

Then a scream woke me up.