Mesa, Arizona, 1999. The Martinez home was the picture of Catholic perfection.
Thirteen-year-old Maria lived in the shadow of her “perfect” older sister, 17-year-old Isabella.
But one midnight, the perfection shattered. Maria found Isabella sobbing on the bathroom floor, clutching a positive pregnancy test.
“They’ll kill me, Maria,” Isabella whispered. “They’ll throw me out on the street.”
Maria made a choice that no child should ever make. She loved her sister more than her own future.
The next morning, at the breakfast table, Maria dropped the bombshell.
“Mom. Dad. I’m the one who’s pregnant.”
Her father didn’t scream. He didn’t even let her finish her cereal.
He grabbed his car keys and pointed at the door.
“Get in the car,” he growled. “You aren’t a part of this family anymore.”