The corner of my mouth twisted upward. Realizing it was inappropriate to laugh, I forced a serious face before anyone noticed. There I was, sitting in the District Attorney’s office with stupid organic chemistry note cards in my pocket.
-- Narrator (Prologue)

Importance: Brooke recognizes the irony of her situation because she has brought notes to study even while she is going through court proceedings. Her actions are unusual because most abused children do not have good grades and are not active in extra-curricular activities like Brooke is.

Look at him, my dad. He just saved Adam’s life. I bet he would save mine too if I needed it. I bet he would do anything for us.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: As a seven-year-old, Brooke believes her father would be willing to do anything for her and her brothers and sisters. As Brooke gets older and more aware of how wrong her father’s behavior actually...