Family Vacation

Two teenage girls cling in the hallway, crying like idiots, because Beth’s finally leaving the foster system and Allie’s scared shitless she’ll be left behind for good. Beth swears nothing will change, but when they pull apart Allie already knows it’s bullshit. Weeks drag by with nothing, then Beth calls out of nowhere with an invite to some beach house. Allie shows up pissed and underdressed. The place looks like it belongs on TV—everything shiny, expensive, not meant for girls like her. Beth’s different now, all smiles and soft touches from Maria and Shane that land too close. Allie corners Beth in the kitchen to whisper, “Are you okay?” Beth just laughs, low and tired: they fuck her. That’s the trade. She gets safety; they get whatever they want. Then Maria and Shane smile at Allie like she’s next on the menu. She has to decide, right there, if selling the same thing will finally buy her something that lasts.