Is it possible to like your niece or nephew more than your own child?

Probably.

I liked a cousin of mine a lot better than my own sister when we were all kids. Terrible story, though, in so many ways.

My cousin was in fifth grade when he died. And no one in my own damn family bothered to tell me, nor any teachers. For weeks I wondered where he was in class. Yes, I did ask, but no one would provide any sort of answer. I tried to call his house but the phone just rang and rang.

Then I found out (by overhearing it at a family reunion) that he had been hit and killed by a tractor-trailer. And that it probably wasn’t an accident — he’d likely committed suicide. My family was embarrassed about how he died and that no one had helped him is why they were all hiding it.

I made a huge stink about not being told, and refused to speak to anyone (and I do mean anyone) in my family for weeks until they just stopped giving me food or lunch money. After I starved for nearly a week (while bumming some food from a few friends) and was getting too weak to walk far, I ate again.

And started speaking to them again. I never forgave anyone for that, though, and I am still bitter to this day about it.

Jason was a good kid who also got fucking destroyed by North Florida and the violent, bullying culture there. Not everyone is strong enough for that hell. I barely was.