It was Lily.

"Happy birthday, honey."

She stared before saying, "Thanks."

A silent, awkward pause visited.

"You were right, Alyssa."

She looked blankly at her mom. Lily's eyes teared up. They gradually grew hazier as the tears fell in drops.

"I d-don't know what I was doing, fuck. For the first time in two years, I feel completely awake. I can't sleep. How could I have done those things to James? Or your dad? I n-never wanted to be like my mom and look at me! I'm exactly like her," she said as her gasps periodically haunted her voice.

Alyssa felt sympathy as she took Lily's hand into her own...