When I was 17, my adopted sister told everyone I got her pregnant.

I tried it, but the next blow came before I could finish.

—You damned sicko!—he shouted, his face red and his eyes wild.—You brought shame to this family.

Appe was crying in my mother’s arms, trembling, saying she was scared. My aunt hugged her and whispered:

—It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re safe now.

My brother, Jake, took a step forward. The saliva fell next to my shoe.