AS I LEFT MY IN-LAWS’ HOUSE WITH NOTHING, MY FATHER-IN-LAW HANDED ME A TRASH BAG AND SAID, “THROW THIS OUT ON YOUR WAY.” BUT WHEN I OPENED IT AT THE GATE… MY HANDS BEGAN TO TREMBLE

to it, some proof of waste.

This felt like carrying a secret.

Olivia slowed.

A warm breeze moved down the street and lifted strands of hair from the back of her neck. Something inside her tightened. She looked around once, instinctive and uncertain, then stepped toward the curb beneath a palo verde tree whose thin shade barely touched the ground.

She set continue reading …