Gavin Allen Watson

My mother, Dr. Marino, is a well-known geneticist at MIT. She designed her own gene-grading system. She used it to label my sister Annabelle as “S-Class.” According to my mother, Annabelle has the highest potential. She needs a lot of “environmental energy” to grow properly. I, Cecily, was classified as “C-level.” An “energy absorber,” she called me, someone who dragged down everyone around her. So I got ninety-nine dollars a month. That was my “basic nutrition allowance.”Just enough to survive. That kept the "energy balance" intact, she explained. Kept me from hurting Annabelle. I didn't know what I really was to her. Not until the celebration dinner. That was the night Annabelle got early admission to Harvard. I overheard my mother talking to her investor, Mr. Carter. “Cecily has been a remarkably successful C-level control group.” “After long-term nutrient restriction, the advantages of the S-class genes become crystal clear.” “Just look at her......

Inside an upscale Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. I stared at the man across from me, watching as he held court, spittle flying from his lips as he pontificated from beneath his beer belly. “You’re decent-looking. Twenty-six is a little old, but I can live with it.” “Before we get married, your salary will come to me for management. After the wedding, you’ll quit your job to stay home and raise the kids. My mom insists on holding a grandson within a year.” “And you’d better not be some gold digger. The most my family is putting up is eight thousand dollars.” The more he talked, the more pleased he looked with himself. I had to laugh. The next second, I slammed my water glass onto the table. The thud echoed in the suddenly quiet space between us. “You don’t have much money, but you sure have a lot of rules.” “In such a rush to have a child? Worried you won’t be around much longer?” The man flinched at my sudden movement. When my words registered, his ......

After my parents died in an accident, my father’s friend, Alessio Bellini, became my guardian. He was ten years older. He never let me call him “Mr. Bellini.” Just Alessio. So maybe it was stupid. Maybe it was the wine. But one night, I got drunk and confessed my love. He was clearly uncomfortable. He rejected me, and then he pushed me toward another man. The night my husband nearly beat me to death, the only person I called was Alessio. “Alessio, I don’t think I’m going to make it.” “Please. Take my daughter, Grace. She’s three.” “Take her in… the way you once took me in.” ... I knew I was dying. That’s why I didn’t call 911. I called the man who had raised me, Alessio Bellini. Down in the basement, the phone rang several times before he picked up. “What is it?” Alessio’s voice was as cold as ever. I pressed a hand to my bleeding abdomen, forcing the words out. “Alessio, I’m dying. Can you adopt Grace?” “She’s only three.” “Beck......

My mother, Dr. Marino, is a well-known geneticist at MIT. She designed her own gene-grading system. She used it to label my sister Annabelle as “S-Class.” According to my mother, Annabelle has the highest potential. She needs a lot of “environmental energy” to grow properly. I, Cecily, was classified as “C-level.” An “energy absorber,” she called me, someone who dragged down everyone around her. So I got ninety-nine dollars a month. That was my “basic nutrition allowance.”Just enough to survive. That kept the "energy balance" intact, she explained. Kept me from hurting Annabelle. I didn't know what I really was to her. Not until the celebration dinner. That was the night Annabelle got early admission to Harvard. I overheard my mother talking to her investor, Mr. Carter. “Cecily has been a remarkably successful C-level control group.” “After long-term nutrient restriction, the advantages of the S-class genes become crystal clear.” “Just look at her......

My mother, Dr. Marino, is a well-known geneticist at MIT. She designed her own gene-grading system. She used it to label my sister Annabelle as “S-Class.” According to my mother, Annabelle has the highest potential. She needs a lot of “environmental energy” to grow properly. I, Cecily, was classified as “C-level.” An “energy absorber,” she called me, someone who dragged down everyone around her. So I got ninety-nine dollars a month. That was my “basic nutrition allowance.”Just enough to survive. That kept the "energy balance" intact, she explained. Kept me from hurting Annabelle. I didn't know what I really was to her. Not until the celebration dinner. That was the night Annabelle got early admission to Harvard. I overheard my mother talking to her investor, Mr. Carter. “Cecily has been a remarkably successful C-level control group.” “After long-term nutrient restriction, the advantages of the S-class genes become crystal clear.” “Just look at her......

My mother, Dr. Marino, is a well-known geneticist at MIT. She designed her own gene-grading system. She used it to label my sister Annabelle as “S-Class.” According to my mother, Annabelle has the highest potential. She needs a lot of “environmental energy” to grow properly. I, Cecily, was classified as “C-level.” An “energy absorber,” she called me, someone who dragged down everyone around her. So I got ninety-nine dollars a month. That was my “basic nutrition allowance.”Just enough to survive. That kept the "energy balance" intact, she explained. Kept me from hurting Annabelle. I didn't know what I really was to her. Not until the celebration dinner. That was the night Annabelle got early admission to Harvard. I overheard my mother talking to her investor, Mr. Carter. “Cecily has been a remarkably successful C-level control group.” “After long-term nutrient restriction, the advantages of the S-class genes become crystal clear.” “Just look at her......

My mother, Dr. Marino, is a well-known geneticist at MIT. She designed her own gene-grading system. She used it to label my sister Annabelle as “S-Class.” According to my mother, Annabelle has the highest potential. She needs a lot of “environmental energy” to grow properly. I, Cecily, was classified as “C-level.” An “energy absorber,” she called me, someone who dragged down everyone around her. So I got ninety-nine dollars a month. That was my “basic nutrition allowance.”Just enough to survive. That kept the "energy balance" intact, she explained. Kept me from hurting Annabelle. I didn't know what I really was to her. Not until the celebration dinner. That was the night Annabelle got early admission to Harvard. I overheard my mother talking to her investor, Mr. Carter. “Cecily has been a remarkably successful C-level control group.” “After long-term nutrient restriction, the advantages of the S-class genes become crystal clear.” “Just look at her......

My mother, Dr. Marino, is a well-known geneticist at MIT. She designed her own gene-grading system. She used it to label my sister Annabelle as “S-Class.” According to my mother, Annabelle has the highest potential. She needs a lot of “environmental energy” to grow properly. I, Cecily, was classified as “C-level.” An “energy absorber,” she called me, someone who dragged down everyone around her. So I got ninety-nine dollars a month. That was my “basic nutrition allowance.”Just enough to survive. That kept the "energy balance" intact, she explained. Kept me from hurting Annabelle. I didn't know what I really was to her. Not until the celebration dinner. That was the night Annabelle got early admission to Harvard. I overheard my mother talking to her investor, Mr. Carter. “Cecily has been a remarkably successful C-level control group.” “After long-term nutrient restriction, the advantages of the S-class genes become crystal clear.” “Just look at her......