Mom had contacted the university before her death.
She had explained the family situation.
Not the danger.
Just the possibility that I might someday need to defer.
The college agreed to hold my admission for one year.
But Mom had done more.
She and Dad had created an education provision within my trust.
Tuition.
Housing.
Childcare.
Living expenses.
Everything required for me to continue school without abandoning Vicky.
They had even researched an elementary school eleven minutes from campus.
Mom had planned it all.
Not because she expected to die.
Because she knew me.
She knew that if forced to choose between my future and my little sister, I wouldn’t hesitate.
So she had made sure I would never have to choose.
Judge Hart continued.
“Victoria’s therapist reports significant progress.”
I looked at Vicky.
She swung her legs beneath the chair.
The nightmares hadn’t disappeared.
Mine hadn’t either.
Some nights, she still came into my room.
