"I'm fed up with being controlled!" That caused a growl from the plumbing.
"And that's exactly what I'm talking about," I reminded her.
Amber ran up the stairway and stopped. "I think you'd better come." She paused, waiting for me. I watched her expression.
"When can I go out?" asked Alex.
"Not now, sweetheart."
"You always say that. I'll be stuck in here forever. You got me out of one prison to put me in another. I'm supposed to be an adult. Why can't I do what I want?"
"It's time," said Amber.
"Alex, go back in your room and stay there until I get back. I have to go now."
"How come you can go and I can't? It's not fair!"
"No," I told her. "It's not fair. It isn't good and it isn't nice. Things are difficult, life is hard and the sooner you get used to it, the better. But right now I need to be with Blackbird, OK?"
"Why? What makes her so special? I'm supposed to be your daughter."
I hurried away, but then stopped and turned back to her.
"You are my daughter. I love you and I want you to remember that, but you're about to become a sister. Now do as you're told."
I watched her face change as she grasped the implications of what I'd just said.
Then I ran.