I woke up downcast. My mum and Alpha Hendrix were leaving to catch their noon flight. After everything I told my mum, she only promised to call me often and to return in exactly two weeks.

I knew I would be gone by then. My mind was made up. But I did not tell my mum she would try to talk me out of it. She would further remind me of the importance of family and how amazing my step brothers

were.

We could only have breakfast that morning. I wished time would just stop so I would not have to ...