Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Abortion?

Jewel was still stirring up trouble.

But if she wanted to make a mess of things, that was her choice. I didn't have the energy to concern myself with anyone else's problems.

"Let her be," I said to Lisa.

"Huh? Is there no saintly act this time?"

Even Lisa was teasing me, showing how much I used to meddle in other people's affairs.

I let out a sarcastic scoff and replied, "The saint's gone dark."

"Ha! Love you for that." Lisa laughed, clearly amused.

After she hung up, I headed to the Demolition Permits Office to finalize the paperwork. The clerk gave me a notice and told me I had three days to pack up and move out.

I braced myself when I first saw the demolition notice and started packing. But now, with a deadline, it hit me that my home was truly about to be torn down.

Asl returned to my neighborhood, I stood outside my block for a long time and didn't go up. The usual neighbors I often saw were nowhere in sight-they'd probably already moved out.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice when Brandon appeared beside me. It wasn't until I felt too tired to stand and decided to go upstairs that I realized he was there. "Hungry?" Brandon asked as he looked at me.

into anything else, just checking in with

head slightly, not

felt

"Tired?"

always good

I nodded in response.

he said something, I lifted my feet and started walking upstairs. He

the stairs, he didn't say anything

top, I held out my hand to him. But he didn't hand me

wanted, but he

my hand

my parents' records. I'm tired.

deepened with

have something to eat

don't have the appetite," I said, reaching out

hesitated for a moment and then

once inside, keeping the lights off. stood in the dim glow of the

when I had first come here, I had done the same

been living there for three months, everything was still the same as it

looked around at the familiar furniture, memories started

he would look up and say, "Mae, come here. Check