Jimmy's POV
A distant memory surfaced, crystal clear now. A small girl had once told me, "You know what? This belonged to my mama. But mama says we gotta trade it for food and medicine so more folks can survive."
"Mama treasured this necklace more than anything in the world," she'd continued, her eyes bright with love.
"When I'm all grown up, I'm gonna buy it back for her. She'll be so happy!" the little girl had declared, bursting with determination.
Those foggy recollections crashed over me like a tidal wave.
"Don't you dare die on me! I'm getting you out of here, I promise!" the girl had sobbed, her small hands frantically pulling away chunks of concrete and debris, piece by piece.
My father couldn't have cared less whether I lived or died. Neither could my mother. I'd spent my entire existence completely alone. That was the first time anyone had ever truly wanted me to survive.
