That it’s her birthday, and she’s not here. That it’s her brother’s birthday too, and he’s not here either, but drowning his grief in alcohol two hours too far from me. That their parents are thousands of miles away, living out of an RV. That her best friend is off God knows where tonight, losing himself in whiskey and a warm body, pretending this day is just another day. That I couldn’t protect her…keep her safe…
