I had wanted to yell and hit and break things.

The wind had been blowing so hard earlier in the day that it rained sideways. I’d only been driving for a few months, and was too nervous to drive Dad’s car during the storm. I was over two hours late.

“Dad’s going to kill me for taking his car!” I slumped against the wet hood, and squeezed my eyes shut. My mind endlessly revved: Why did Mom die? Why did Granddad have a sick heart? Why did Dad move so far away from our home in Savannah? Why was I torn between two people who wanted opposite things?

“Mom,” I sighed. “I wish you were here to help.” At least the agonizing whispering was over — doctors, shrinks, nurses, neighbors, coaches, teachers, relatives, friends; they all spoke in a hush like I was fragile or something.

"The Bird is an adventure that opens eyes, makes the heart race, and spirits fly." -- Carol Lee Lorenzo, author of "Nervous Dancer".