Ignoring the pain, I twisted my head and slammed it against the wall of the freezer.

I told myself, just once. Just one hit.

If Dad heard the noise, he would find me.

And then I would be saved.

A flicker of hope sparked inside me. I thought I'd found my lifeline.

Bang! The sharp crack of my skull against the freezer wall rang out at the exact same moment as a phone ringtone.

"Honey, you took Herbert on the field trip?"

"Great. Text me when you get there tonight, and I'll come pick you up."

"How's Kate doing? Still at home throwing a tantrum?"

It was Mom's voice.

I knew it. Mom did love me. She was still asking about me.

"I haven't seen her," Dad said. "Mom probably took her out somewhere."

"That girl is so spoiled. Just because we didn't take her on the trip, she starts faking sick for attention."

Dad let out a sigh, his voice cool and detached.

"I don't know where she picked it up, but now she's learned how to compete for attention."

The tiny flame that had just flickered to life inside me went out in an instant.

Mom, I wasn't lying. I really do have a fever.

Why won't you believe me?

Then Grandma's voice came from outside.

"Son! When did you get back?"

"A little while ago."

"Mom, where's Kate? Didn't she go out with you?"

Dad finally asked about me.

I thought Grandma would open the padlock on the freezer and let me out.

I waited. And waited.

Praying for Grandma to remember me.

"She wasn't with me."

"She was throwing a tantrum before I left, so I just ignored her."

Grandmother paused for a moment.

Then she let out a little gasp. "That girl's been disobedient since the day she was born. You don't think she ran away from home, do you?"

I couldn't remember what Grandmother said after that to turn Dad against me.

All I remembered was the sound.

A deafening boom inside my skull, like something had detonated behind my eyes.

Grandmother had forgotten about me.

Through the haze, I thought I saw Mom's face, twisted and contorted.

Her agonized screams echoed in my ears.

"If you hadn't been born a girl, my life wouldn't be this miserable."

"Why did you have to be born at all? It would've been better if you'd just died!"

Then came Dad, his eyes bloodshot, bringing the belt down on Mom's body, lash after lash.

"Worthless woman. All these years and you can't even give me a son. What good are you?"

"You gave me a money pit, and you think you have the right to talk back?"