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1 G4 N! i; t3 w d( S; S, Mrealizes!
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I didn't I am, Magistrate, , again. off, anyway? Second, time. time, almighty, educated, voice.' x$ E" L0 V& t
# d7 ?' N4 r5 a! h' h+ m& M+ N& A"Miss I more, I I'll isn't monetary."' I6 Z4 W& H0 d% s
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Pfft. a bitch, I'm certain.7 |6 {: Y# y6 {
1 E+ E. |& B5 u. iI heard, "Call case." stood. I mumbled, "Fuck again."
9 E! B# d9 e4 x$ Z5 K/ Y( n* ~3 A
/ | {; r' J! ?% A2 i"Your Scott. a substance, marijuana." podium. I smiled, "It wasn't suspect, dope.", @0 W* r0 o7 n* r: C+ ?
8 l1 P# e9 K8 II down.$ s7 j( B. a0 t7 {5 N+ p
4 q' s* W* H" ^8 G% V, r
"Order! Scott, again?"1 z0 R( y: i* [. p) O
! \3 j3 H O. i. k8 d" G6 ~4 EI myself, hard, intended.! z* y2 I! P3 Y1 z# T0 q
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"Miss Scott? I a response!"! t; j; {) y. I5 W3 _
$ a, ]* q0 A' O) y5 SI head. I mumbled, "I don't know. yo, get." I me. again. "Order!" I disgust. "Amie, I you?"
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0 u) I$ l* I) z6 Z" fI shoulders.
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6 Q" K% a& G+ ]! `- `5 j"No, nothing?" I again. "Come Amie, young, eighteen, you're bright, intelligent, can't better? back..."
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, C) {$ }$ o( e- K S7 y% D# FI up, I again,7 o! C3 `; S. Q( i3 J3 D( d5 M
, M5 f4 K0 f' a) Q. b0 \! ]$ y
"Back home."
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( h/ E s9 U( |+ X# z% }I away, "Fuck Judge, don't him. He'll again!" again. "Order!"3 ]/ \3 a& y. B5 J+ K( n0 n
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I crying, "Judge, jail. won't it, again! fuckin' it, couldn't fuckin' it!" down,; h! M4 C: E4 l; U, I. A
5 k( T/ B# R j/ j3 T0 V- {- H1 |'Crack Crack'+ ^1 z G# n! S3 V
. T6 A" M1 C# q# @+ T; b- m2 n
"Order! Scott!
, |6 A* e- R( _- h/ a: i3 o) w8 x0 I6 J2 |! e: }6 u3 i' K
I again, I talk. "Come Judge, please, I'm you, jail. I report. Don't Judge, he'll Judge, jail!", _4 j4 O4 n. D3 f# ^! {
; N7 y8 ^7 }: [
I harder. "Judge, time! know!" down,- F9 Y8 @4 s; ~; a! r0 ~, L: \2 `
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'Crack Crack'( f4 A$ S( f6 b' s* k, H: u1 @
2 _- u3 n: l' T7 ]
"ENOUGH Scott! silent. moved, spoke, anything. didn't strong, hold.
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I ADA, ground, shoes. "Hey on, me. I'll you'll again." down,
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: X5 V; J: {* q2 E& U'Crack Crack'
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$ @9 \9 ^9 z5 |% |2 [) I"That's Scott!! v- J3 l# @( x* d$ Z/ X
_8 y) |4 m. A9 }
that's enough!" louder.' f/ P% l" ]. v: @
h1 W! c5 X" Q. ~
I pain, me, way. me, spoke. "Bailiff, chambers, ADA, well, minutes, chambers. minutes." bench. disappeared.
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door. ear, "Don't curse, please. isn't a Amie, doesn't cussing."* j( b1 w; y4 h& N! W: w
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"Sorry, I can't..." door, I her. "Come in!" door, in. desk.: L5 q1 B" g, r0 D6 A7 d
- H8 `$ f! h& Z2 m* ~ R g$ ?; n- z"Amie, can't streets. I you, I don't that."$ H o+ Z, b, [+ @
5 `$ d. R! k$ A- j* I
I there, I didn't speak, I to. I more. ADA. "I a decision." her. "You charges, behavior." nodded, me. "Amie, I a women's a Sarah." me, ADA. "It isn't here. I her. a room, want, place, want." room. I crying, "Please Honor, I can't home.". v, G' f' C8 I) K2 O. _2 i& R" e3 U
9 m+ G' [ V9 A"I Amie, I know."5 w6 ^% p' ~/ p8 [
% ~; D% Q4 |% {/ Z0 ?7 }" ^% h6 RI I well.
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8 r" o/ w3 p3 `; ?7 ^& ]3 @Judge. I shelter. I desk, a there. phone, I back, waiting. phone, me. "Well lady, I you?"
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, r4 i! t# ]# D8 y, z( ~I a slower. "Yes, ma'am. I'm here. I'm... I'm service." stood, "Well, I'm Sarah. I me."
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" V, D+ Y& p8 TI head, "Yes ma'am." I possible.
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+ a+ _! ` v8 I$ h) A6 \/ s$ b"And I hear, you'll cottage, me, want."; i- E3 V4 P1 T! R% D+ t5 s( s
% t) h/ I5 `5 m9 O4 q5 ]
I didn't say. I there. a I back. a posture., ^7 i; m7 Q P5 T" T# ?/ R
2 X) E8 S" T$ q+ m7 ~* S1 G"I'm Amie. I just...." apologized, asked. "Have yet?"
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' | J6 V! E, M# F$ ^; jI head, "No ma'am." smiled, "Come me, we'll like."
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/ D( s' g8 G* ]/ z X- F A% AI a Sarah, I a a a stride. I about. I steps, I run, needed. kitchen. I women, ages. well, children. a silverware. "Ma'am, I'm to..." side. "Amie, today?"
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9 O& d2 m$ w( j; jEmbarrassingly, I it. "Come dear, yours."+ _0 a, s- [3 ~, u7 `0 N- N% Y
4 U& N! z5 E; ]I hesitantly. line.0 N- P" R I6 O# i- d; T
- G9 [$ L+ \, `0 M- t"How today, Colonel?" asked.- k+ G5 J' T, w. X% `
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"I'm good. Nancy, helper, Amie." me, "Amie, a Nancy, me."
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"Well Amie, Sarah." winked. "Now I you?": A) f7 Q- i3 c% S; R1 M( r
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I plates, Sarah. I a a water. plates, chicken, corn, potatoes, a roll. "Ma'am, I can't, much. I'll it.": g: R+ C4 o+ }
: L6 C# P6 W. X"Young lady, haven't a week. a favor, lunch. lunch. she'll room, staying, her."
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+ ?6 @7 ~, r2 Q% v9 J$ W8 O# w4 p( M"Wait! Trotter?" me. "Yes ma'am, she's a hero." a closer, "Darlin, a Vietnam, a ago. didn't there. a Army. a years."
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"If you'll me." I Nancy, I off, I up.
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, } e6 g; \& ~& }( g% YI food. I sitting. I table. I a exhaled, I didn't a scene.
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& A [, O0 U! r7 n( L8 O ?& `$ _"Tell Judge, Colonel, I'll the..."
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: v9 ^$ V; j& [( i# b# P. Z, d' @I cursed, fuck, didn't matter. "Tell I jail.". e1 u* j& \5 c5 c3 P( Y
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I I a other.0 s$ J' q* W4 P
! k- L" E8 V4 H' |: G6 U$ `7 ~"Young lady! instant!"6 h7 S" H- X. H) j
6 [- F6 M3 e% [* R* |' {
I did, I tracks.9 Y1 K2 E8 b6 `# F1 r5 _
% w1 b: T, s# O- N"Turn lady!" again."Now here, good. everything, I, a here." paused. "Who more, me? you? Nancy?" me. "Now room, don't building. a love, hope, peace. don't here."
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I me. I looked, room, me. I don't one, I apologized, a child, I twice. I finished, I Sarah. "Ma'am, I'm sorry, I'll leave. I sorry. I won't Judge."
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' u/ y) J4 q# X# L5 qI embarrassed, I eyes. burning, a deep, shame, ring. mantra, suit, instant, strangers.2 f6 t! ~+ |8 H
; ]$ ], Y4 d8 p% R* CI a fraud. A ugly, a peace. over, sudden. I out, hide. I disappear. I said, I I wouldn't trouble.2 Q4 w# D, d7 h% G1 Q
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I down, away, building. I them, I from. tile, world. I desk, shoulder. I backpack.
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8 I" X: T5 D4 D5 QI door, streets. froze. glass, sidewalk, a me. I open, I done.
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I go. I I go, bridge. I I that, I wasn't willing. there. concrete, police, so, I fall, I again. I kidding, hammer, a cell, again. gone, heaven. me, terrified. jello. I couldn't anymore. I couldn't running.
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4 z) M) X$ ^, w1 |; W9 ?' ~Slowly, I bar. I around, cheeks. now, piercing, Colonel's eyes, I do.3 z6 ]0 }8 N9 m) |) o: W
+ I2 R9 Z* T4 l2 A/ `. sI her, a shape. gone, dead.5 ?; d4 U1 L7 d+ } M1 L- C& A g
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"Please," I whispered, room. I hard, a sob, her.
l9 C; m" h$ h
/ s: x! o% @+ Z9 p9 L% |"Please, Colonel... don't there. I don't jail. I can't... I can't him. stay. I'll dishes, I'll floors, I'll want. please..."3 `$ V0 N5 t) S) {4 H0 H
7 J9 |) v' ~) E S7 }# ^# S6 qI me. close, I care.( ?: d' p) U( A" Z+ T
* \& B! \5 n# G4 K"Seems a Amie." me. "Do clothes?"
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I harder. "No ma'am."
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"Okay, let's a shower, we'll clothes. There's you. we'll lunch." back. "Ohh Amie, it'll alright, me, it'll alright."
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% B$ x1 s$ L! O* C7 F7 Y+ \+ D5 ^I shower, a clothing. I I a four. I towel. I I wonderful. I hair, I again. different, I different. time, wasn't hurry,
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only.
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I clothes. a underwear, wasn't worn, wasn't mine. I towel. I hadn't a time. I bra, basic, fancy, I help, well, new. I hooks, a I chest, cups. felt... comfortable.
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I me. jeans, new, I tag, a four. I on, a I'd due." P/ h% S# ?1 Z4 {5 r) i8 J
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I area, I mirror, a towel. again, I didn't a anymore. didn't I be. I same, I a time, I hair,
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1 t3 t9 X. |4 N- zI a breath, chest, handle. there.
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I desk. smiled. "Now a eat?"3 p W( }4 p( {2 K" [# |: n. z! S
0 N0 C2 V" ?$ {; ?I nodded, speak. hand.
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3 T+ E: z" f2 `/ k, _& R1 x"I then, woman, aren't be." again. area. I table. I sat. I a tea. I down, plates. I a glass, tea. Sarah. hands. ""Dear God, donors. love, peace, everyday." Sarah. a eyes. I wasn't ask. quietly, I softly. "Would you?"( ]5 o/ b) C7 X, Y7 `" l: _
1 G" r2 S) O( E* N, e! ~) M"I'm I'm a unsure." I murmured. anything, I understood. herself. stood, I Sarah's dishes.
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% x& u/ @, }. S+ h"If dishes, dishwasher. over?"+ k1 g, F2 D; j1 g" p4 i0 o
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I Nancy. dishes. a tray.
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* P+ P3 ` i1 H" o6 f"Got it?" me, I forward.
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I spraying, rinsing, scrubbing. I tray. machine. a button.- B9 S0 D" s8 q1 o# b1 q
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"Okay that'll a dinner. I dinner."5 R r2 R8 J: _. |
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I nodded.5 V! I# `: J. S/ x% J2 ^
" [5 i* n) C$ p! h"Amie, me, here, won't you." I flinched. I well.
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6 l7 E, I- i' _ k1 N"I'm ma'am. I don't I being..." nodded, I pots. I them, I Nancy. I a break. "Pardon ma'am, I bathroom?"8 l% O% E9 ~7 I
$ R0 W. n- F) G1 T, l" ~"Amie, don't ask, go."
! v k; ?% `; ?9 A6 D- L9 k! \, _2 Q5 Q$ \1 |% K( G: i
"I'm I don't rules." I again, I bathroom. I bathroom, there. hand. "Can a bit?"' x) a8 N) I5 ]: P
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I area. a hope. I didn't bathroom, a time. me, same. wasn't comfort, support.
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4 Y G% W( W' ]9 v3 m* ]) L9 g"So, dinner, overnight." six, again."& S5 ~3 }. [% y' T( Q8 y
8 |& @: ~( @& s7 ^% R H
I continued, "Jennifer hours." paused. "You I around. I don't drive. I a here."
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I again. "Colonel?" I nodded, eyes, "Why care?" I eyes, "I'm a kid." I cried.& i# C2 q" M( u' v* J& G
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I shoulder. a moments, a tissues. I me.
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: z7 d" J9 ] N+ I* G F"Amie, I I aren't kid. a world, haven't chance." a moment. "I've loved, cherished, for. a do, well. are. I."
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I crying, "I'm Sarah, I don't love, died." hand, "Now dear, that's here? you, grow."9 p% l% i3 P1 a* _) n$ H+ M0 f* [
0 R1 p2 w- L0 k, o! FI head. I dishes. I stored.( G% ?3 F6 k W
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"This stove, I'll with. I'm a lunch."
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I nodded, "Yes ma'am." smiled, "Now back. I'll cottage."
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I front. "Colonel?" I whispered, me.. L; S* v4 w Q g6 Q7 \! F3 ~
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"Ready?" asked. I nodded. "Good stand, a today."% v. @3 D1 {' b- X; [- \3 [1 h- ?
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1 W+ m8 Z, F2 L6 y"Now out, wrists. stand.". Q& N7 Q+ Y7 U D4 G7 \1 N. s' f
- H4 t6 r1 {: [4 A: @( B' CI feet, tall, smiled. "Thank Amie, there's a I'll times. It's me." winked, "I'm longer."
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"Yes ma'am, Colonel."
3 t- |) h$ K* G) Q6 f0 E
- b6 d& j8 d* r6 I' B# p"Amie, a Sarah?" smiled, I rules.+ ?; {# s+ L. C6 H5 T. z1 \
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back. I p seat. I lapnts, a shirts, a jeans, clothes. a I city, Heights. Road. a house, it, cottage.
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8 v( ]2 J- s H; ^( j( ^$ ]+ tI panicked. I mirror. "Hey, Amie, relax, a breath."
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2 j* l! a2 J4 D8 N/ S. @, JI nodded. "Yes, ma'am." I couldn't lie, really, bad. area. tomorrow. I seat, ground, car. away, I waiting. I hand, "cottage." a a keyring. "Here, door. 1776." door, I locks. open, pointed. "Press 'enter' key."
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I that. I button, a sounded. us. I still, uneasy. it"Come, let's a chat, alright? I'll things."6 e4 I2 W# ^+ ?' j' a5 H; {
1 k' K6 Q1 T) U# J; J4 ^: FI nodded. arm, area. a me. "You sit, dear. safe." uncertain, I down, I didn't furniture. I floor, her, plush, wall. I them. I mode.
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8 m8 |! h; ?/ _6 C"Amie, yes, I 's estate." slightly. "They won't fall. compromise. I cottage, me." a silence.! P! p- ?; F6 _$ |6 z- c
2 D# Z/ y2 W* W* I& z6 O3 N"I birthday, I I back," continued. "I years. that, I you, I nursing."9 n/ ?8 G$ l5 \- ?, ~9 @& y3 z
) \% ~7 G- m+ g. n1 a! h: @- S4 uI slowly, whispered, "She me." I hesitated. "She Army, Vietnam."7 o1 f3 }' o3 m5 m% i7 y* e, R
6 W/ s, r8 W$ a+ f9 K
"I was. I a nurse, I graduated, I go. I times, trip. I men. Amie, I a a time. I help."3 E6 m# k' v) q& r) i) J" q# D$ d/ h
$ s2 T+ A0 T7 M% H5 hI nodded. softly, a now. "I'm a tired, dear. bed?"
" \: A b% s- B5 s
' k4 X- \) l: W' y; s"Yes, ma'am." I her, stand./ O6 k" a8 ~$ w- a1 f9 k6 ]+ x
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I bedroom. nightgown. undressed, underwear. I bathroom. a long, assistance.' Q1 c: v! j W% X/ w' ]# k
. `1 F) Z, T, U7 V4 h7 Q"Now, Amie, I aren't embarrassed," said, a chair. "I don't showering. I'm you, out, I'll that."* ]# A+ w& [3 I% H
8 S! _$ } X% L M8 f/ a1 G' J0 g4 `I shivered, a stomach, I fear. hadn't me, I starving. I do. O. x$ S. t" x
' ^5 w/ q0 z7 r4 w- {"It's okay, Sarah. I've you," I murmured.
* Y- r3 [1 b# B% ^4 ]
$ q Z+ {8 m6 ]# P" ?0 [( |# fI I into. I hadn't "helper" a a veteran, I counter, I a pride. once, a reason.0 H8 O5 E5 _ a, X1 A
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"Thank you, Amie," whispered, chair. "I'll I'm done."
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4 G. r2 T+ U* Q& B, CI bed, shower. minutes, stopped, I door.; I0 Y. T! p3 J$ O4 e5 T
5 g6 H5 b3 S& L
I in, steam. a body. bars, completely. I nightgown, sleeves, head. a pair. mine, bed. mattress. I them. a sigh, pillows. me, warmth.! V( s, h3 e" z* ?- X/ m5 v
7 M+ r! K4 _6 T; f# A"You're a this, Amie. you," softly. "Now, home. cottage, kitchen, rest. We'll breakfast, okay?"
6 t. t. _/ ~9 k3 T9 k8 k' w4 P& f: ]3 O7 Y, t) _- n4 u
"Okay. Goodnight, Sarah," I whispered.# i0 p+ Y. E. c7 Q$ ? z
4 r' R) Y" {0 Z# m' [: `"Goodnight, dear."0 T% h) m: c! t2 @0 Q1 {- U
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I lamp, a soft, dark, hallway.6 I# v' l/ p. V6 D
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I kitchen. I a water. cabinets, I glasses. I water, I away.
2 u- X/ P# v0 `. N0 b/ H
: |% |. C# D4 ^. SI bedroom. I panicked. me. I shaking, do. bed. covers, a I a Hathaway. I bathroom, Sarah's. a shower, a toilets. I wasn't for.! @: h' R; ~# t, [8 ]6 n
2 e) P6 w% l3 RI a a bars, / it. I wasn't was. I underwear. I door. I a pillow.
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( ~( n) v2 T: EI window. I eyes, sleep.9 o: L" ]8 J- N3 w- T" s( C
+ u# h* f( S1 n& z' `, f4 P! M; Y
bed. window, I wouldn't I I to. I that. a I was. me. Judge, shelter, me, Sarah, me, ride, estate, yeah, Heights.
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I back, body. I back, wall, I wasn't a I didn't a sleep, a man.# u/ k+ l7 T5 g4 e- l, Q& U) _- Y
0 X* h, P7 M0 Y# yI door, I open, I room.
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"Amie?" floor.
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1 M% b, P" j2 C" P- B/ |+ X bI feet, I didn't more. "Yes ma'am, I oversleep? I'm ma'am." bed, untouched. a me. judgement, anger, questions. a face./ V$ J( ^; X2 u- W9 m3 O! W' Q
2 K N: M- y. P/ [" k. {4 _"Ma'am..." a quicker, "Amie dear, me." I needed. I fell, underwear. I a red. L4 D D0 L( G, l) |2 F ?
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"Forgive Sarah." I body.- v" O! A' c8 f2 y4 f( s0 y
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"Amie, it's okay, let's dear. It's okay." softly. wouldn't me. "I alright."
1 a( N4 r( W H, o1 X2 W$ q/ e, x, E' V, Z& l: s( {5 x
I hard, underwear. "I'm sorry, Sarah. bed... it's much. I can't.", o7 x0 R+ J W! `1 N
- C! c4 Z: i$ L4 G- x* c) U% S"Amie, relax, I alright, all. Judge, a me. made."
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# s) @4 F5 ~# @. UI me. "Amie, me, it's alright. I a a bed." I nodded.
$ l. H8 m) o$ ~0 }3 @; s9 u4 H0 q, c, E! y
_: P9 w/ v0 g/ s6 `"And Amie?"
8 K/ X% B9 q7 k5 r3 Y. A6 m# A. ]( f
# w7 t! e9 Y( w e! K"Yes Sarah?"
8 d+ \8 E7 l# Q7 D- B# U- A3 h( `3 R2 E
"Please never, anything. I I you. all, night." smiled.
8 |+ ]: T( o8 a! q4 f1 H
( D# p3 ]3 ]( E& ?2 v"Yes ma'am. I'll dress... I'll you." privacy.
& ^* C- k5 \$ N' k F
3 b1 g# u' S, X# _7 v/ F"Wait! Sarah, kitchen." I side, hallway. I I bedroom.
2 l: l) o' ~+ o, B
# r- M z9 ~, RI face, underarms. I her.
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& F! g! t9 E. f- c9 D; RI kitchen. window. I before.7 p& A& U, ]! ^" D# S
& `, j" B) y7 t, Y
I shoes. a loser. "I'm Sarah, I've this."9 q% [4 c$ c* Q5 q. t3 @
* U6 A9 u6 f# h2 o6 u
"It's me, it's ones, I don't either, it's coffee." 'pod' button. a mug. me, magic, a plastic, I didn't myself. coffee, eggs, berries, them, cream. funny. a coffee, me. "Amie, you're sharing... life. a girl. college?"
8 a, r. g0 F/ E8 O5 K! M
, K# o1 P2 s* N1 o8 `. pI head. I finger. "I but..." a whisper. "I me, I up, that's I back."- F2 N( c0 p2 g( E4 P
1 X. f) F- h# v& T3 `; o& Z
I rest, "when I time, school. couldn't first, did, I at, I eighteen, a runaway, everything. I fled, back."$ _; _+ d" ^4 Y8 V6 J9 E
# {. m/ _4 b( A/ Q8 MI over, hot. I Sarah.
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I waited, I didn't. fierce, a empathy. "And mother, dear?"5 K, y( A S* O, C( }' L
# P5 c& D- }1 G4 L"She I eight," I said, throat. quivering, I couldn't it. "It him. he...". ~( _9 E; y# \4 K
4 X$ U3 x% h& `6 ]
I tears. "He me, sexually," I sobbed, violently. "He over. is... knew. I them. investigated, wasn't him, I ran. I him, well, that's I jail, you."
" D9 Z' F! q0 r
, [6 [8 ~4 w- D# r6 O* vI embarrassment. Sarah's mine, face. strength. tears, voice, solid.
+ E$ ~1 K6 q5 |" T9 Z+ S: ]& i1 J( q9 _2 T. ~
"Listen me, Amie," fiercely. "That monster's guilt. you, survived. here! I you, I'll him, I've..." down. "Forgive again."
k v t. C+ K6 K0 l! \, S/ g1 u4 ]' C- V( r
I nodded, hand, breathing. conversation, a myself. rules. alarm, thermostat, freezer, a it. estate, "I don't Margaret, granddaughter home."
, a$ _3 o' y0 w: n, p( O/ l; C
7 L o6 V+ o& Y' g9 g( s"Nelson, daughter's husband, mogul. He's a I don't him, eyes." cue, a door. I I could.
2 s6 C! Z. y# V( \( E }- t) u' d8 M
"Morning, Mother," said, a smile. "I house. I you?" blotched, fist. bench, I'd movements, a threat. morning, wasn't robe. a sweater, mother, me.
# {" N" G7 e3 Q+ P5 c8 m2 o3 K3 H1 l
"Good Jennifer, you." said, machine. "Amie contraption. a chair."' S6 J3 r- D( { M9 j9 O& t) c1 N
9 o# \( ?, b- w/ I- N
I instinctively stand, out, hand. "Stay, please, Amie." a us, a sip. didn't tears. a table. I a mom.
0 z" S" T1 ^; M; w# J- _7 V1 L: l& S9 T3 i5 d3 W6 z
"Judge, Sarah," I said, "If you'll me, I'll day." I life. I didn't here, all. I didn't all. much, daughter, me. bedroom, I blanket. flowed. I name.
+ F1 \: o1 c4 s
4 q7 x1 P5 ^+ u9 o; S2 m"Amie?" Judge. I harder, wouldn't I fooling, I run. me. whispered. "Amie, what's dear?"4 i5 s: P( O, ?( N/ D
4 S# l2 Y5 ?! J& D4 Z' O/ I5 WI harder. "I don't belong, much, Judge, I go, me." happened, me. cry. ear. "Amie, I you, I needs. Please, I you."# U( o+ `8 }1 A$ e/ D0 u! i5 B! {* b+ c
+ b: Q: Q6 ?7 d" A! Y: b+ T: ?weekends, shelter. I washed, scrubbed, dusted, cleaned, hallway, windows, bathrooms, I I kitchen. week, I family. I eggs, hip, hide. tonight, completed, cottage, weren't inside.
6 o) o& t& N9 ?$ N, L0 V7 ~) H9 v
$ Q' G1 A, D4 @) a"Grandmother!" A I threshold.
& ~: z, q' u; g6 b, e
" c# Q% J7 T3 E1 t Z% ?"Margaret dear!" exclaimed. together, I Sarah's away, hallway, room, I door. privacy, world, a I couldn't I in.) q6 ~5 w3 ]* m% L) g* @
! m+ Z E+ M- tI underwear. I shorts, I bra, a on. I undergarments, a I'd them. I a door. I out, "One Sarah, I'll shower."% T* L# A- B' U
$ N) q8 d, n- M: pslowly, there. I away, bed, window.
% J7 D+ E" ?. g) S* Z* \
; T3 A2 h; R6 @"Excuse me, um, Amie, you. alright?"8 K/ V; k, c8 U4 v% g6 _( x
7 M. M. L" V ~) L" q
I nodded, "Yes ma'am. I privacy, me. I'll a moments, I washed." woman, Margaret, me, I immediately. a harm. hand, "I'm Margaret, granddaughter. She's her." hand, I hadn't it.
3 }; U+ E/ Q! K. d7 ?8 w" [* L. A p7 B. t9 w( f) e0 f7 h
"I'll a ma'am. I'm I just...." hallway.
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$ X0 B) J7 t' l* I+ C. _* w2 C6 QI again, I floor. I I a grandmother, a love. a I laugh, Sarah's laugh. I it. a day, I didn't undergarments. That's me, "Yes belly!" me, a a grandchild, it's I like.+ H" G' f2 i; [. I. }
% W* L* A0 Z* S
I a laundry, smell.& u5 @/ H7 ~) P" n# n
% c7 m; r/ D1 ^I hallway, a well.6 x% ?7 b9 Z1 U5 ^0 N9 E9 R
# s2 K/ x! H: `+ [/ C- ^. v
"Grandmother, I'm home, I think."
3 ]4 O- n# W* b. Z( Q. M7 m* O9 ^# P/ S7 Y6 ]1 r; M
I stove, chicken. g) L/ C6 c, |: N3 m) d% R, O
7 x) ]0 U/ {; X7 H' d8 u
I a conversation. "Pardon me, Margaret, supper?" other, nodded. up. "Yes, us?"' a6 T' \+ @ p/ J5 D" O c. v% H
/ A0 B$ e$ y8 |/ y( d: cI nodded, "Yes ma'am." I liked. done, I three. strange, I hadn't before.
' x# M9 x+ x: z4 L! u- y; P8 f! T7 z6 q2 R, I6 b" {6 J3 B
I Sarah's Margaret, a me. table, I weeks, I outsider. eating, I kitchen, laundry.
& d; F: W3 _3 R, z, f+ G8 @" w6 D/ Z; m
I off. I her. "Sarah? morning?" smiled. "Can tonight?". y# G- ]$ O+ ?8 G
; N9 A0 q! q: H6 lI now. "Okay, let's bed." stood, I Margaret. hallway, her, "Come breakfast!"
- s$ A. s; ]0 o7 e- {9 I" L E! c7 O+ b- O6 F8 a9 E
I bed. I left, I Sarah. I room, I a gasp, down, I hadn't body, tummy.' [* r' Z2 J. H5 b: ?
( z$ U p `4 \7 l6 o"I'm a Sarah, I left." room. stunned, stunned. a me. "Can a moment?"* `7 j* W x6 m5 J2 n0 y1 s
, a4 k0 c* l, y* Q+ I
I nodded. I couch, a us. me. "Mom Grandmother, I you."
/ n% |" z N9 g7 p9 z# G3 l7 P* Z4 D9 `
) C. F) a: k1 e0 ?" qI blushed. cracked. "I'm next, today."
: E0 j& }- h4 u2 c+ H% T& g
% a, b- S0 C1 N2 Y$ H. C"Your hours?" inquisitively.
) [4 ]7 W& ]7 e6 t; I' `
7 Z4 L$ x0 E" A$ |1 E4 SI myself, doesn't know, gawd, embarrassing. "Well I didn't huh?" head.
" @" q, R7 @9 [- u& _8 {
& y. x+ \$ h8 _ W* z) w, w"Well, I'll version. I'm a runaway. ago, streets, a deal, Service. well, I am. I've I could. I weekends, hours, I chores."
$ v! q$ B9 ^% Y4 _. C4 x% ~3 S: m) @ ~' h
I paused. "So I don't brings, I out, streets. We'll say." hands, me. "I haven't I've happier." hands. "When hip, a blowout, mom's paranoia." hand. "Thank her. a nurse."& }+ |5 m: o2 g! F
5 M& F( E; h: |5 p
I away, "I've morning. I don't I leave. I island." me, "But Grandmother?" stood. packet. I it, a ear.
. p9 q" J+ I: @4 g% {
$ r5 ~5 V% B9 W, J. T. S! e"Mother? What's leaves?" I expressions. "That's I thought!" me, replied, ear.0 J4 A7 v; k2 t; ]( Z
% ~; q/ B* R. |- M( S5 M( @"Mother you."
9 C' h1 B5 a+ q, ? F0 B. L3 b2 B. C1 K+ `5 r
"I can't house, undergarments wash, I can't go..." I again, shame. I again.& c4 ~) G6 d+ s. b6 X+ N
7 N4 S4 Q! q) H' `' W9 H"Hey Amie, it's alright, I'll here. It's alright." said, "I'll back." alone, say.
9 K- t( @3 X, y4 E% Q) a Z" _- H# i+ X1 [4 M* m2 M; D% u# V
I kitchen, I house. door, inside. me.# Z; I* _/ S+ K' X2 r
# D& m. @. T, a. ^
"Amie, I a ago, I you. I've pay, service. I but," hers. "Amie, happier, I she. I but, stay, please, I caregiver."
) s0 i5 |) D6 }, ~( N, B- n7 m7 {* `: F, X4 W+ V; E
A eye, "Judge, I..." lips. "No Judge, it's Jennifer."
0 A( ? M- i0 F1 @2 g" t
! i( e b& _$ q/ A0 a# F/ ^) LI me. "Now settled, I'll need."
- _% ?7 }* u& a* d8 a2 _
1 p, ~' B0 n Q4 S# C; f"I I I Ju... Jennifer." daughter, cheek. "You do. I'm house." left, couch. chatting, friends. o( j6 M& l: ^; U* ^
; J6 J/ N( L1 ^+ WMargaret's a together, mornings. coffee, I Sarah, night. I bed, I room.+ p# W4 G* l P9 W' i8 H
& A% ^. g: G: n- M% j3 D
"I'm I'll Thanksgiving. It's a I a you." talking, I her. "Yes? it? specific?" a closer, close. I faster, mine. I inside.3 s1 C% v) \- c9 ?1 F" k- s5 c) V
) y; Q4 t/ t3 c" M2 @% J
"Can I Amie?"
5 o4 @+ ?! U* v8 X- {8 P4 x7 x3 D5 B' a7 }( a
I nodded, side. me. ear, "Will me? I I'll you. pretty, you're Amie." I a tighter, I cheek, "You beautiful." I skin, soft, I felt... ever!/ P$ g I3 {; C9 V6 s) b
$ j9 n5 _" D( f1 UI whispered, "Yes, I Margaret." me, I begged. "Please a longer, don't yet?" nodded. "I I'm I start, I'll stop."
( F# e) }6 L. I' L1 d) T8 J: ]+ C- d( }. o3 {( j' S% [
I neck. I unsure, I I I unsure. I tighter. "I've a kiss, way." back. hair. cheek. lips. I a ever, I I felt. kiss, "I'll you. I can't again. me?"1 s: K8 o' \6 E1 ?/ M6 C
. r# k9 I! F9 e& {/ S9 i, A2 lI eyes, whispered, "I'll waiting."; `, @0 B% |0 `
$ t$ M' J: l1 y$ ^' B9 i% bweeks, I talking, days, shelter. I "off" a her. I driver, room. I box. head.* S) j# U: A8 J3 V
N- y) w/ K5 R- L) H# U% R5 s" ^
"Amie, I'd me." it, I I contents, books. "GED Guide."
" b9 M+ |+ u) K* t- H1 @! w- Y/ i/ Y$ P( U: K7 l6 G: E8 U
I Sarah, I confused. "I'd diploma."
7 X6 B/ ?) D0 M" ^& \/ |! F5 \0 E- J C& k6 G. ^& `" x
I stunned, I didn't say, said. "I you, I don't, you, me, yourself."5 c$ P5 a" k3 R
7 q- U# e! P/ f$ W+ o& U; ?$ m
I cry, I her. studied, dinner, classroom. strict, grammar, algebra, history. I a a test, tall. I a GED. shelter. I a o'clock. wiser, Margaret, I thought. back. I a a computer, a screen, a pencils.& n+ x, Z' S! W' h
4 x; z" _4 D' P' o: F2 j# [0 c! @2 D1 D) D
"Miss Scott, timed, parts. automatically exam. I'll observing. a break, asking. room, I you. a hall."
, t* M- C0 N f) p4 E7 c/ ~
. h% `! B3 T0 k0 Q6 n+ c"Yes ma'am." I nodded.; H! W) F |* x
' s. _5 N$ C c# h"Are start?" I nodded. computer, information. "You start." later, off. A I finished.% I* @, u ^4 Q6 }% ~
) o- ^& ?1 l! B# V1 m& m6 A" l"Ma'am? It's completed, I've finished," I said, tight. me. "Okay, weeks. leave, Scott."
5 j. v4 }5 G+ z/ f- i* t3 B9 f) X1 Q( B: V( T, k$ m) v
I her. now, I I long. I lobby, quietly, a book.& l3 m$ l) W6 G+ P5 ^
2 S* v- I/ C3 O0 v, l* P"Sarah?" I whispered. warmly. "Ready?" nodded, I stand. phone. waited, a eye. "I today. doing."
6 `5 u' G( ?' Q0 s
: {& L4 r* j# q5 w6 o" l"Sarah? her? I didn't tell... well, I didn't Worker." I admitted. a wink. "She asked, yes, I home."
- j* Q3 ?, _. y; m' V3 e& a2 \. O" E% K8 I
night, dinner. I kitchen, chopping, slicing, dessert. o'clock a ham. night, a a supper. early.* P7 ^( ]+ e1 @
0 ~+ C! _' d, g' ?* qI shower, I privacy, me. "Amie, tonight? tonight."5 C4 q* l9 ]3 V( q- ?4 H
/ o2 a6 a1 ]: E5 k8 R9 d* q% ]. }4 {
I time. "Of Sarah, course."
3 S; x+ B. d+ J0 _
8 N4 l: M7 b, Y# ~$ L5 [, n: oI shirt, toilet. I underwear. seat, I began. didn't all. finished, a you.# t; Q/ z. d( h) L$ `. @
9 z& P, _ }7 ~, v; v+ f, j, NI dressed, on. I a a salad. I a two.
J1 O3 f+ y' a' g5 I' `4 z/ c% m
! S& u% Z+ u: cSuddenly, I a open. in! a beat. her, over, a hug, cheek. I a two, them, dinner. I fixed, I her. coat, bathroom..
* N- {% Z* q$ [6 Q' Z5 D- J
6 P5 {2 @+ i1 o ~. jI sitting, didn't right. fluttering, different, sounding, wrong.7 E+ J6 o1 R+ j. S
& f! [ r- B- ~9 @$ B
"Sarah!"/ T8 O1 d) T2 Z
# Z; A* g& A( H; G* C0 R
I her, didn't reply.
3 h) d: x: [1 h4 H' _+ ~0 k9 Y9 c9 x, u
"Margaret, wrong!"0 Y& E& j- J3 f0 l
. m* U# r2 t$ `I panicked. "She isn't right. Hurry! quick, eyes!" kitchen. grandmother's in. "Call Mom! here, hurry!"
% E; G& R" S" U2 V( X4 Q) _2 E. i' Y! ]+ [* u
I dialed, shaking. "Jennifer! fast! Sarah. ambulance, please!" I receiver.1 J% T( m& x3 @5 L6 z
v2 b# t6 P1 C& XI Margaret. "What I do?"
, e- _' K/ G. `3 m+ p
+ I& c! ?4 }, H+ K+ I"Help recliner." 911 recliner.
7 o) h% m( m- k9 ~, \7 D' I+ P
2 I1 l' a$ f. b: F5 fTogether, recliner. nightgown, breathing. A later, cottage.( h3 x+ B; I5 T) d( A
7 }: h$ P2 z y2 h"Mom? Margaret?" out.9 k# m0 ^+ l; r
# G7 N. ~. f$ x, R8 n
I kitchen, do. A horrible, stomach. I wrong? 911 dispatcher, her. didn't long, minutes, arrived. door, a face, ambulance. heels. night, me, "Come on, let's go! me!"
Q0 R6 d6 c+ \4 o: S
1 J, B( Y0 ]+ LI hoodie, sneakers, her.
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* `0 [7 f$ ^; X! X0 Q9 lI shut, could, Nelson's car. a vehicle, chest. I wrong? I her? I shower? I done! up, over, cheeks. I seat, windshield, I a breath, overflowed, I hard.
2 }; W4 W! _+ j- {+ Q7 q. y; E" w _* e7 r4 A' D% s' P1 c
"Hey!" said. a scold, head. weeks, me. hard, me, shelter. me, a head. I out. I this. flowing, suddenly, me., M# z R4 |: f% [ c/ d( v) S" s
2 @+ k: @% V5 q2 q- y3 k
"I this! studying, exam... I this! I test!" I screamed, violently. "Maybe shower. I hot? I hard?" I her, Margaret, one. I console, gently. "Amie! Please, down. didn't this."7 I4 D. ]! ^0 W# q$ a& o' p
) L1 s" p( j; @5 j- e
I sobs, her. head, death. died, I I do. I'd back. I Steubenville. I a disappear.2 A( m3 C2 ~+ m2 m* Y8 o
7 u5 k% W+ ?1 z. T3 R6 ^6 y
"I'm sorry, Margaret," I out.* F; C \8 P: e* u
: B1 C/ ^/ {' U& w- a; D"Hey," said, a steady, nurse's comfort. "Breathe, Amie. a second."
8 U$ w' |* ~) R5 y" r( J
6 t& C6 H# ]+ cI her, wide, blurry, tears.9 Y Y2 L" _3 a1 V8 y+ I: Q" x
4 W/ h4 @, W* |, G0 I4 F0 y1 K
"This fault," firmly, exact, brain. "She a history, okay? didn't wrong. me. We're this, I, breathe." I it, hospital's lot. stopped, doors.
- y* L/ T" R6 |+ d2 ^- c. n- G* G4 U. R
I behind, a bit, myself. Eventually, car. I I hadn't a time.
8 Y7 S; t; Z y" b3 K7 _1 U; _2 C% E! j
I inside, elements.
, V4 }. J1 \* O4 V, j; e# T2 C* n) {$ T' [, W3 L7 t
I door, night, entrance.* G6 H/ H- D$ a7 z! m# K
& i U8 u& C9 {0 b( b+ \I I could. I desk, a room. I didn't me. wasn't area. Jennifer's room, corner. Nelson, away.) H! R( A+ z' o- }; Z, @
2 `% T. z, `: O; V4 s/ }5 W8 Eme. I head, tightening, family. me. a side.
1 c" W$ X- E# b9 i# f% A4 I9 o' M- O' P+ w6 Q0 b) M
"Thank you, Amie," whispered. "Margaret did, room."
4 @5 a% l$ @; Y1 u& y8 T9 b6 \
4 h* A2 {9 A/ _I shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jennifer. I'm it's fault." a minutes, I alright, I wrong.
! J O+ }3 ~6 }4 g- k, K% w& b) Q
"Here, lady," a interrupted., {2 B- @, c! S( I8 g% H8 X
# a& n/ t, y( m3 OI a coffee. Jennifer. I a you, cup.
2 K, Z- p* ~ m% k1 z0 Q1 p1 e. F" j! n. ?& b: F4 d
I I them, entrance, chairs. A me, instantly./ p0 P1 H4 F8 U8 s: d
5 F- ^+ U. z& g$ Y# |1 i6 y: |
"I wrong, Judge!" I gasped, back. "I I wrong!" mine, shoulders. "Amie, relax. me. Security, you're fine, Amie."5 w7 J$ O& X1 z
' N" x6 L# u0 D2 o# x7 d5 \% U# [0 _4 kI a hallway, us. chairs, relaxed, happening. explained, exhausted. fine. safe, work. a massive, relief, me. I'd this, so.% J" x0 a# \5 A5 ]& _' J
" X v; l% v- `! `) x) J
Then, I Margaret's hand, tight. "Hey, thing. so. good, Amie!"
9 A0 R# {8 U3 p& j
6 g% F! g2 K! N( u; RI her, a flutter. a pull. "How I now, her?". [: b9 c! A K; r- m$ _
! d5 w5 p: d- U' `' q
I eagerly. mine, area. a curtain. turned, gently, hand. "Come on. It's okay." curtain, again. bed, weak, face.2 Q' v: M P, ~5 G9 l
7 }9 Y7 M/ L" w5 q, R+ T
"Amie," mask, corners. "They me." smiled.% u* |' w# F/ i
9 G- s, ]$ T, \/ m1 n"I'm sorry, Sarah. I'm sorry," I gently. I railing, a forehead. I couldn't I emotional, overwhelming. a seconds, long, a decision, bed.% _) x7 k' q, h }
n" B2 m- W7 f: C* Q7 k"Come me," ear, wrist. I hadn't time, I I didn't all. night. a moment, head, a stop. a bench. together. hadn't mine, hadn't hers.0 W, Y8 s! ], P% L& G- x& L
8 a$ {3 ^7 b. ~" t5 u' Y0 n# R4 L
"I timing," said, me, "but I I yesterday.", x( E& ~9 F" f; Q7 `) h+ I% L- n3 X8 l
# b# k+ H8 M, d% {8 ?' }7 cI her. "Grandmother time," a chuckle. forward, a ear. "I've I here, Amie." closer, mine. "Mom I'm gay. a out, though."1 O7 T; s3 I9 L0 W- P$ V% U, L
2 P- ~4 c; i# ]: u5 N D
I her, throat. "Margaret... I don't a history. I mean, I'm a girl..." I words, flustered. tighter, patiently.
$ d e+ V$ @9 o0 z9 E4 \& U! H3 [/ m# A2 f& f
"I'm say," I whispered, fingers, "on street, I things. sleep, eat... sex. time, a times, I to." didn't flinch. didn't go. Instead, in, a tender, cheek, skin, "I so, survive." swelled. "I don't a girlfriend, Margaret. I've never..." again, chill. "I'd girlfriend, Amie. I'd you. heart." I chest, pocket. out, screen. "Hi, Mom. Okay... we'll there." phone, jeans. me, a face. "Grandmother now. she's us."
3 T& | H0 u V2 u- f) i
- ^. |. t' G- c+ yMargaret, o'clock morning. I Escort, a wheelchair, Margaret's home. night.* s2 \0 K/ a$ ^9 b% d
( K9 I2 z6 b* m7 s! Y# P$ s
I forehead. " watch, Colonel. I'm couch. Don't Amie." closed, breathing. quiet. said, cottage, Sarah. morning. commented, "Not early, sleep."7 G- n7 x& o `% t4 O7 b& k, i
' U: J" d$ ?6 I2 w4 @3 gI bed. this, winked.% T6 V0 e1 a0 h w
. I% _* t H4 d0 l
"You I I you. I wasn't couch, I girlfriend."5 s; {' i0 q) g
" k; t' V2 h8 F3 {3 GI I that. "I've..." couch. "The though, thinking." bedroom. light. sweatshirt. bra.
2 l0 R) I! e" D# _, T
3 i0 i% D5 l |7 p9 r/ T"I'll bathroom?" I nodded. bathroom. raced, I underwear, I now?
; r$ _) d& k$ H' |( d+ j, b
- t3 [ [. n1 k2 b# A6 qI a shorts, work. there. hips, a see. I I hadn't day.
5 \# W6 S { v F% V$ X% E. t) c, U6 G* U) p
"I'm I shower, I'm still..." me. "I'll I promise, slow, want." don't I forcefully. wasn't been, firm, hard, heavy, a kiss. I didn't go. I hers, slowed, I admitted.
+ {5 P; N6 ]2 U) p5 g4 f9 e/ ~2 U+ S6 y# `
"Margaret, I I you." bra. whispered, "I'll I won't you, tonight."
* g& _1 A, D5 K1 i! T" B9 G' {: a9 ]
I nodded. "No, yet, I... I'm a you. I a first. you?"
# G: [! u: N+ F4 X3 T* m( K- m
& t7 h$ T" U& Z( r5 L$ m"Sure, slow, a loop." I I clean. I off, I bed. }- e! \! l/ q
5 u6 A( x4 [0 n$ _( u& K! X& V
"Can I you?" murmured.
: K7 K& [; A: {+ b' j) u4 C% w$ f1 v7 |& k7 \+ P) E+ V
I nodded, hard. "Please." her. I shoulder. peppermint. blanket, fingers.# o3 X9 l/ ] u7 C
3 O" x& t3 n, I( Q& g
"You tonight, Amie," hair. hand. "When you've Grandmother... I special. tonight? life."
$ _7 a- K; c* B w
/ j- C3 g% {& ]$ W4 u"I scared," I whispered, blanket. "I I her. I I heart.": m$ o, Y. O: V8 |. d
4 {; O `/ U; i7 D: G
"Oh, Amie..." Margaret's me, closer. "Her won't loved. that's you've doing, her." words, loosened. I neck, skin. I eyes, comforted.
7 ]) E/ e6 Z: Z; i l$ d- x
6 a" _; P- }$ O( |( U% F! j( }"I I tired. I I I'd longer."
" ~9 B/ E& [7 o: F [7 J @+ s1 U1 V3 Y
"Then let's rest, a morning."
: ~5 E# X* b5 Y) I x- _/ ^- F; D; I) D
I I her.
4 i. R7 I/ \% @7 y' A; @( G. T# v' u" ~
"I I stop," whispered, eyes. "I girlfriend, Amie. I it's cherished."
. w- h K7 Q8 u
# B/ Q. {/ d' g" h"I too," I whispered, chest. "I just... I don't I'm doing."
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* I, Z% U( G0 b, \$ A"You don't anything," murmured, forehead. "Good Amie."/ E7 ^5 K% l6 g6 O# }
2 e9 A# d8 Y' P; k
I asleep. "Good Margaret."( p4 z r1 }1 n+ G) s$ ?
9 s5 G: z9 O9 ~, {# e7 H
us, Christmas. "overly festive" year. mind, a a December. I hands. intently, I Education, Pennsylvania.; n* i3 ?! J- d/ Z# E/ u
/ G/ t K: F. S0 q5 {$ v2 E. EI attention.
# e, d$ ~6 t% K8 W
8 B8 Y4 y4 P# mPassed.
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I passed! weren't life, I a I hadn't failed, Sarah. didn't a word, hand, a soft, pride. a joy.
9 J4 B$ n3 I3 o
7 N. Q8 C |- V: V3 F8 C YI me.
7 V* |: _' h1 |5 M' i: \
9 D' T3 i# i! I8 z2 iI 23rd December, I I shelter. a commitment, Sarah's passion. I back. Sadly, didn't passion. a week. I left, I I me. it. cottage, Jennifer's, Nancy's finally, Margaret's. a me, I a bit. However, cottage, all. didn't mind, all. cottage, I off, bad, off. dim, off, dim. I a out. I inside, I table.
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' B6 m7 s) Q: P2 k2 Z1 ?/ A1 h' B" DI coat, I home. wasn't answer. [. B3 [. @( f7 u
* c5 ^% \; K3 F
I p, was, Margaret. I immediately. I in. a jeans.4 N' j) [' k- g9 [
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I her, her, I paused.
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"Is alright?" I house, I didn't her. "You're tomorrow." a me. "Grandmother fine, it's dinner." closer, I maintained. "What a I bed?" hers. cheek. "I didn't laundry, I don't have..." I head.3 D+ Z0 ?+ a/ a' j
. G: B2 H. }; }( t"Come please." bedroom. a jeans, a box, a box.
$ ]; C) M! R, W1 q1 i/ @$ ^& Y& {$ G9 x, t: v
"This I I to. I well."
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I jeans, soft. I turned, smiling. head.
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4 U. I6 |! ]# g/ Q+ \! [8 h"Because I to." softly. "Why don't first."
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I lid, I paper, it. I that, I a sweater, thick, colored. I her.3 w& W1 j$ r5 U ?
9 J0 I% c" u% x) u2 j
"Because." winked.1 r( M& V* f3 w; ~- Y0 h6 W, u( ?
! o: c% l8 R* ]( R" I+ X4 p k8 ~I box, a second, a green. I flowed. "Margaret, shouldn't are, it's much." ear. "I it's nothing, sales, me, it." back, "Now box, I upset."
! s! z* t4 N% r4 M9 ?, M/ T8 ]0 q' R4 }+ d. W
I nervousness. I box. whispered. "I size. I tags." I I I have. a a camisole. I out, underwear. underwear, kind. I Margaret, smiling.0 U% ?! T" `# ~% w
1 L7 \' h4 D/ D( w0 c4 u }8 C! L"I've never, I can't ever, Margaret. loving." I I ever. "Thank Margaret."
8 y, ? j4 K1 K' R8 K# |9 N4 I2 `' D G7 P3 x$ q
"Now, let's a shower, yourself," winked, "and me. we'll dinner."
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I head. "Okay." bedroom.
1 F4 _" u" I$ R* |5 W( r5 O3 ]. {2 l4 o6 ?9 m0 r- J6 S( j* G
I I could, I a me. I on. I them, amazing, I a woman!
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I I dinner, simple, sauce. mine, I blushed. I life, ever.
2 {- o$ e- i3 I
/ T5 [3 B& W6 p"I didn't hair, I was..." hers.
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"I hair. I off." lips. I desire.2 u/ {" D8 R9 T: Y9 r7 ?" U
# b# @+ {1 a, B* [# f"Let's napkins, I don't sweater, a dinner. we'll her. ours." a dinner, device, a walker, cottage. I a shower, her, bed. I a night's sleep, asked, "Were surprised?"4 N: z8 R; D9 J/ A8 \" a0 V+ q
2 N8 r } r) JI whispered, "Yes ma'am, I was." I forehead. "Thank Sarah." moment, I stay. giving. Yet, I a pride, her.
m% g! c" q2 F# p. v' F
" W5 r7 ?6 z; |7 n hI closed, I her, I chatted, music. o'clock stood. bedroom. together, I tempted, I her, I other's arms.+ y8 D( {- W7 U3 H; j! [
6 i7 m. Y- z* d' n" e: t+ F i( `I back. intense, I joy. me, I over, I
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0 @( H" ^+ h8 E3 t* a8 Hover. moisture, warmth, no, heat, phenomenal.2 ]2 `1 X6 `, K$ L+ Y6 k
( J p: I9 N4 @. k# \) P"Good Margaret. alive. I Sarah, it's duty." softly.
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1 E' I% \0 A2 p2 r; p+ K& J"I'll you, all, Grandmother." more.
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1 {/ T5 |3 ]- B5 M! b6 L. II shirt. coffee. a a hug. I Sarah's breakfast. I finished, I day. I party.
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( ]9 w6 V3 B7 L1 |2 Z0 WI showered, dressed, room. I I asked.
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0 o3 `3 ?4 g# K8 P- J! BI her. I blushed. I say, don't, I didn't.7 ]* d7 U- f1 ~3 V0 i! }' K- n; o
( l5 q; i* j3 M; `"I don't other. Don't differently." wisdom, door, arrived. o'clock, I a area. I door. Jennifer, Sarah, yes, Nelson. a more, "Santa" them.
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I Margaret's. lunch. a weary, home, cleanup. I evening, a I wasn't needed. I insistent. I off, family.
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I a slip, I but, a time, I wasn't street.# ?7 a x" i+ G- ]* ^ N
$ V- S5 d& O- @3 ], J6 s [2 EI I a family, sorts. I wasn't familyw.& U0 F1 }6 x1 Y, P$ }, Y3 i
5 Q7 e; L6 k3 h) O
I and, dressing, panties. dark, Sarah's I paused, confused, I a shadows.3 [: \* o9 J# Z- F% e, U$ @9 t8 `
% u4 |& H( ~/ C" G! f' i"Amie? alright?"' {3 O7 A9 A& c! m2 E* ?( }6 I
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I turned, was, warmth, December, all. I nodded, relieved. I hall, hand, together. I ear, I a reason.. K+ Q4 ~* U8 }* I4 Q1 h0 c
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No, I didn't I her, I there. down, I knew. I didn't yet.0 n$ @8 q6 Q( d+ h7 D
) n% T" }' j. z/ X qSarah, Margaret, I a quiet, morning. I Margaret. I kitchen, I bedroom. closet, I room.& d5 y6 K1 j: y$ V
: g2 K G8 I) j( a: O d8 PI room, first. a thin, box. a moment, I Margaret's.* T' j, c! D. S# X; X0 R$ b
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"Sarah, isn't much, I I wasn't anything. me." lid. frame. Inside, I a a certificate. Sarah, me. purpose, other, kindness, respect, importantly, love. life. I you, I day, it, me. Sarah, I'll debt, I me. me! friend,0 w) Y/ Y5 V: W1 V$ Z
5 M4 f/ \8 b# E; g4 V9 `
I cheeks. I a down. "Merry Christmas, Sarah.") R9 O1 U2 `' E( B9 |* k
- [% M0 s) w8 r& N1 II gift, her. "I don't money, I you. you, Sarah, heroine." a moment. Sarah, frame, "You're hero" light, Margaret's eyes, too.8 U! b& F1 n1 M4 ^3 w) Y
: A. X9 w# p! e# n5 q"You didn't..."
5 T8 z! l# h0 w% m: {) V- ~6 A4 ^0 C. w' Y9 Q4 Z$ s/ M5 x" ~7 S. R
I higher, her, softly, words. a quick, grandmother.
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2 ?& P2 D% A2 V& m"I did," I whispered. "You hero, I you." her. out, hands, me. "I'll this, you, forever. yes, I you, Scott.": h! p. a, Q2 `: S6 t4 T' f
; D2 i$ [2 \; w3 f! B: t8 {7 ~
I o'clock, wanted. ready. a Nelson. house, Nelson's me, core. I path, a firm, walker, waist. Still, foyer, knots. instantly. a temple, me. a warning. recovered, a visiting. wavered. something, dinner, I there. I food, liked, didn't a finger. tired, I cottage. I to. I Nelson, I steady.: t9 }" A/ \6 Q! |0 f! k9 N0 S
0 z& P- V, y' s9 W% w. e"My Sarah."
4 [, R: H" T' R5 x; b
; |% r. D! T. Z7 F% B7 T) nI wasn't them, needed.
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2026 arrived, a week, Thursdays, shelter. there, I side, I me, built. Sadly, I reality, weaker. May, a Sarah's house. I wasn't anymore. I Sarah's caretaker. I chair, people. a celebration, a chest. hadn't home. Year's I lips. conversations shared. party, I a all, song. o'clock cottage. Sadly, her. wasn't anymore, short, distances, walls. I cottage. night, different. I I become. arrive. Margaret's processed. month. I was, paths. f: T) X* E8 S. M
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I door, me. demands, secrets, actions. veins, Sarah. arrived, room. I joy, hall, I couldn't her.
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) F0 m% J, u( J d K% L% j# \7 BInstead, light, a magical, kiss. moment, lifted. home.
2 F" p, R5 {9 R" }$ N; {+ h. ]; e+ K' e. l0 J
I a girlfriend, years, I wasn't bring. I day. I think, point, I intimate. wasn't I yet. hadn't line. yet.
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a weeks, relationship. a offers, wasn't I be. Sarah, July's humidity. afternoon, I'd a a halt.5 K: ?& r0 R9 a- w# [# u$ g0 q) G
2 `; |* I1 C1 ~8 h2 L0 ~" b$ G% t) LI a water. I room, stomach. recliner. shallow, a strange, chest, color.
9 F" V" r) ]1 ~9 B0 m) T2 u- @, a9 ?- G: |5 i( y* `$ }
"Miss Sarah?" I whispered, floor. didn't blink. didn't move. Panic, sharp, chest. I& Q$ w. D; w5 p; u. h% B
5 T% r4 r9 `! e+ q: P9 s
Margaret! I 911. inside. "Hurry Jennifer!" 911 do, I I Margaret, a nurse, me. ambulance. quickness, happening. assistance, floor. her, didn't CPR, breathing.8 t0 X N3 x+ Y: l. g3 ~- V! U
5 B9 M# C( G, w1 w! O' MI wasn't well. Margaret's I know.
5 p a6 t# }. ~* H3 R! X
& _2 W8 H" b, X9 p+ R2 iI Sarah's she'd want. minutes, ambulance.8 D+ m( P {# G8 X" l
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me, real. I ago.
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|0 Z% [& P: d, m: i; Q1 II hand. cold, been. same, Sarah's mother's. I know, end. plus. Then, love, love..
' A8 T" L' v/ E
' L+ W( A4 e; _6 l z" w3 M) v"Don't now. You've far, Scott," mask.
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* J: ]" \% n6 s, u. FI forehead, whispered, "I'll down, ma'am. I I'll down."4 S* }3 |2 B3 w0 i0 p2 t
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I brave, frankly, I I mother's bedside. I room, , Mr. Newsome, Margaret. I a room, I could.+ V, E1 {$ e4 ^. |
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I hide, I didn't found. a Mr. in. a away, passed.
5 g2 d% ^) ~, f% p8 F# r% `
; k0 J3 @) \& tDon't why, I up, backpack, ran. gone, I I a ago.
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8 \2 \* s% Q6 ^: dI mode. I estate. on. I me, wouldn't night. I'd morning.# p z ]9 _" _
% Z1 a2 G- ]7 [3 Y, w* X! FI didn't bed. I blanket. I corner, window, room. I wasn't bring. a time, I sleep./ b: \* @( b( l9 p
1 X5 D5 F8 E9 e
I room, again. I I belonged, I belong. changes. leave, done. I I I me. enough? ?7 U1 G& ?/ a) I) \5 O
$ ]& T( X7 s: r. KSadly, I head, time, me?# }* |0 `( ^% w" A) L
/ c- ]9 F( o1 |0 F
I I Trotter, I a runaway.# E# `7 m P: C/ E2 T$ E
4 U z, s$ y# oI I door. I panicked. didn't here? police?. i2 m: d! F4 F2 p: J l8 V5 h5 c1 o
: Z/ @( z/ `% y r$ D0 x8 ]$ ?
Damn. I open. "Amie?" I Judge's out. I Margaret. "Amie, honey?"; q6 l- [7 v- |# m- d
6 |, [5 c( g# _% u+ B"I don't either, Maggy," I whisper.
: L! E% v6 [% j8 }6 x$ T8 B6 s5 {9 e) J, ?3 m C' I9 O# b
I hall, cottage. again. "I'm sorr... sorry, Judge. I have..." arms. "Oh, Amie. safe." tighter, I harder. "I'm sorry, Judge. I'm mother." hug, I a backward, Margaret. "Margaret, I'm grandmother. I am."
O6 j D% t; j4 _1 s/ V4 G) X( j: j4 T! C6 f% ^& J7 f0 D; X; k$ s
I soul. "I'll I made. I'll on, I'll leave, Judge.") P' J. T- p0 j `/ y
. \3 @2 x0 y6 ]& |0 v" U, |"Amie, go?" softly.
6 z3 i9 X' |8 d4 r
$ a. a. p" P6 A( iI face, daughter. "Where I belong. there, done. I'll shelter. I there." up. "You thing. I you." forward, I back.- |, A. n& |' T; d7 v# w$ Q
5 {& _4 m7 G+ I# }3 Z2 Y"Margaret, I you, I do, I don't here. I can't, I you...": \* Y" d: ?; m$ N4 } `! m
* J1 E+ _* X& x+ n9 u1 Q' O4 U
I stop, somehow, I finish. "I Margaret, first, me." I admitted, "Yes I inside, I means. I'm a kid, I'm a runaway." m, M. ^- U" O# J4 f& N
) x+ ~+ D) M' t! J5 f% n
I bedroom. me, I whispers. them. bedroom. I bed./ |0 H# L; V3 B8 r2 I3 X
+ O0 B0 t" Z! c# {& C1 K, L"Amie, stop!"/ p* N5 N: L6 F4 ^% c
" G1 X1 X9 P# \' P' xI her. "Margaret, I can't. I something, and..." me. I place, eyes, too. brown, eyes. I shivered.! y: ^" m2 R: Q& z
( F! S/ o3 b I8 |. Q( u
"Margaret, please..." gently, softly, I completely. me, a hug. ever, I I wasn't of. I over, I didn't anymore.
! E$ ]. w$ H0 e2 S7 e6 E$ h0 x _" w5 {7 y, x+ }* \
I murmured, "I'll you, Margaret." knee. "Then Amie." knee, fingers, knees. I her. I I couldn't this.
, W) T7 H1 b: Z$ |3 Y$ I' x/ [ n/ Y' D1 |8 m. s1 G
"Yes Margaret, yes!" softly, hall, hand. a stop.
" y3 v) U) i" o
# K( D, ~9 o* _# s0 [0 h; M"Mom?" a a both. tears, us, "I'm you." Margaret's cheek. well.! @' J. D9 [' [, g/ P- Z
7 I& A( W& B: p* |0 S( s- A"I'm you, I Amie.", ^3 q; o' _. J4 G' v
% n6 ]* I' K% s, wlater, Sarah's us. a wonderful, afternoon. estate, tree, I wedding, much, a up. A Jennifer's tree, center, sun. started. I a beautiful, dress, flowers. away, "flutter" good, lawn. stunning, father. slow, steps. , gaze. me, me, me, a firm, nod.) N' }. [- U' X2 A: g
8 j5 t3 D! L7 t0 m. C9 B
"Amie, I grow, love. I marriage." Margaret's back, loved. a quiet, a Mountains, noise. cabin, outside, cherished. time. experienced! one. soft, intense, a past.
- Q' D) H& R, P3 k, l
# W, @: |! {8 o8 _7 ?! sI wasn't a anymore. I a wife. Road, anticipation.. hospital, a bright, passion. loved, belonged.+ ^% f! t8 }/ A* j" E
! b) O1 _2 u2 q' ~8 }* ~% w& x
Me? Well, I didn't cottage, now. day, work, I a shelter, dignity. door, brick, a I time. a sign, her.9 ^9 q. v0 r+ ?" N0 ~& t% z. d4 S( A
+ ~4 h! e# l5 O! S
Women's office. I counter. I , facility, a a a give.% R1 U9 z3 z4 _# d
9 O* s4 a" G+ G+ k- T3 {9 q
Sometimes, I'm a a eyes, I hoarse, ear.
, R3 F3 L: x/ S4 P6 O/ n. f; E
( p* X0 ?3 ^5 F1 y"Don't now. You've far, Scott."
' Q* x* P, Y& x5 x& t5 g+ D6 u! u. q
: S) s5 `0 \8 NI smile, home, room.
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I'll down, ma'am. I promise.5 k) V' x/ I, o D3 s0 @
& Y1 S. L* Q- RI story. so, votes.0 \8 z0 U# o& t
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