I Froze to Death While You Argued A Child’s Ghost Tells the Truth

My parents remarried, each starting new families with stepchildren older than me.

They always told me to be sensible. To learn to take care of myself.

Today I have a fever. The thermometer reads 101.8°F.

My vision blurs from the heat. I use my kids' smartwatch to call them.

Mom tells me to call Dad instead—she's at school dealing with something for my stepsister.

Dad tells me to call Mom instead—he's in the countryside visiting relatives with my stepbrother.

I say okay, like the good girl I am, and walk alone into the freezing cold.

Maybe they'll never know.