This story is based on a girl my youngest sister grew up with. I have changed the town and people's names, otherwise it's fairly accurate.

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Mom and I sat at the kitchen table looking out the window as the girl next door trudged off to school. She had recently turned 18, wearing baggy pants, combat boots and a flannel shirt buttoned up to the neck. No make-up, hair clean, pulled back in a pony tail. Taking a bite of my bagel and a sip of coffee I asked mom what the story was with her.

"She's a bit of a homely girl, not ugly by any means, if she'd...