“Hi, honey!” she chirped into the phone.

Their father, Mark Carter, was in Chicago. Again.

“We’re great,” Diana said brightly. “Kids are eating breakfast before school.”

Lily swallowed hard.

“Hi, Dad.”

She wanted to tell him everything.

But Diana stood close enough to remind her what happened when she didn’t behave.

By lunchtime, hunger took over.

Lily stole an apple.

She broke it in half in the school bathroom and handed it to Noah.

He ate too fast.

Then his breathing hitched.

“I can’t—breathe—”

Lily grabbed his hands.

“Look at me. Slow. I’m here.”

He calmed.

Eventually.