Chapter Title: (99) Petrichor

From the age of ten forward, Marley had no family. She didn't go out to dinners. Shout at a sibling down the hallways. Eat breakfasts together on Sunday's or fight over chores. She didn't sit in the kitchen with her Math homework and need to ask for help from her parents. She wasn't scolded for curfew, tucked into bed at night, reminded to brush her teeth. On family days, parent's days, she stayed home sick. When she and Gabby had events for science club and math league, in the audience were Gabby's parents and family. No one else. When she needed bras, she went shopping with Gabby and Mrs. Collins. When she had her period, she had already bought tampons and done research because Gabby had gotten it first. She had a father. A father who, when he wasn't working at the factory or playing poker, was sleeping or demanding to be fed. A wrecking ball. So, when Marley wasn't at Gabby's or doing house chores for her father, she was in her room finding creative ways to pass the tim