"Talia!" Her mother's tone meant she was not to be ignored and Talia scrambled from the kitchen so fast she knocked over another box of empty bottles and garbage.
"I'll pick it up, Momma," Talia promised even before she was close enough for her mother to hear. A fist flew out of nowhere and caught Talia on the mouth.
"Don't sass!" Stars shone in Talia's eyes, but the protest that she hadn't been sassing was locked behind her bleeding lips. Her mother stood, thin and dark, frayed around the edges, and wound around her addictions. "Watch your brothers and sister." Then she was gone. Talia didn't know it, but it was the last time she'd ever feel her mother's touch or hear her voice.
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