I busted out the door.

“Olivia, stop,” Dad said.

But I didn’t stop.

The sun was still high in the sky and everyone was out.

I ran right down the street, past Carlene and dumb-bum Bonnie. Carlene said, “Olivia, wait,” but I ignored her. Past Berk working on the circus with Sadie and Jane. Past Melody, who sat on her steps. Past Bob, who was doing something to his motorcycle with Grant and yelling at him to hand him a wrench. Past Mrs. Sydney Gunnerson’s house where it smelled like burning bread. Past UFC Paul’s trailer, where he probably wasn’t home. All the way to the corner where Delilah lived.

I went right up the steps.

Pounded on the door.

Delilah, in her floral peacock T-shirt that she always wore and which Mom said was a crime against humanity, opened the door, Ruthanne jumping at her feet.

“Olivia!” she said. So surprised! So surprised! “What are you doing here?”

I pushed past her into the trailer where there she was.

My mom.

Sitting on the couch.

Watching a TV show. Chopped.

Like it was any other old day.

She stood up.

I felt tears about to burst and I didn’t want them to burst. I wanted to be strong and to tell her exactly how I felt. Exactly how I felt, so with my fingers clenched so hard I was sure I was bleeding, I said, “I am done with you.”

“Olivia,” she said. Coming over and trying to hug me.

I said, “Stay away from me.”

Dad was right behind me now.

“I’m done with you, too,” I said.

Mom said, “Olivia, wait.” Maybe she was going to cry. Maybe she wasn’t. Who cared?

Dad said, “Calm down.”

Delilah said, “Let me get y’all some Cokes.”

And like that, I ran out of there and kept on running and never turned back.