The Suffocating Heat

Summary

My dad built a wooden swing in the sunroom, just to see me smile.

But I was afraid of heights, too scared to really use it.

When my little brother, Leo, was born, he became the prince of the family.

One day, he was swinging too high and went flying off. I lunged to catch him, and we both crashed to the ground.

I gritted my teeth against the pain, trying to pull Leo up. But when Dad came running, all he saw was my brother on the floor.

His face was a mask of fury. He grabbed a metal drying rack and lashed at my legs.

“You vicious little brat! Did you want to cripple your brother?”