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.

just checking in

head slightly, not saying a

moment, I felt utterly exhausted to

"Tired?"

good at reading

I nodded in response.

opened his mouth to speak. Before he said something, I lifted my feet and started walking upstairs. He fell in step

As we climbed the stairs, he

we reached the top, I held out my hand to him. But he didn't hand me my bag right away; instead,

what I wanted, but

hand and

closing out my parents' records. I'm tired. I want to be alone

gaze deepened with

least have something to

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

for a moment and then handed

into the house. I leaned against the door once inside, keeping the lights off. stood in the dim

first come here, I had done the same thing-just stood and

same as it had been.

I looked around at the familiar furniture, memories

he would look up and say, "Mae, come here. Check out this article. It's so well written. My mom would peek her head