Chapter 36

TALIA

Things were awkward. Very awkward. Alex kept trying to make an effort at conversation with me, ask me on dates, eat meals with me, and I kept having to reject his advances. When he’d leave to do whatever he did all day, relief would flood my body.

There were times that I’d lose control of my thoughts and think back longingly on the five perfect days we’d spent together, softening me to the idea of him. But I’d instantly shove them from my mind when I caught myself slipping. There were many things I forced myself not to think about. It was the only way I could continue to function like a normal person. Things like catching my mom doped up on painkillers and later finding out she’d spent all of her money again. Or being twelve years old and sprouting breasts, suddenly being touched and noticed by different men who worked at the brothel, feeling powerless and defenseless. I’d still sometimes have nightmares about Old Man Joe, who used to fondle my breasts every day. He was one of