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.

pry into anything else, just checking

shook my head slightly, not

moment, I felt utterly exhausted to

"Tired?"

good at reading

I nodded in response.

lifted my feet and started walking

As we climbed the stairs, he didn't say anything more. We just

my hand to him. But

wanted, but he was waiting

dropped my hand

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

deepened with

have something to eat

appetite," I said,

for a moment and

inside, keeping the lights off. stood in the dim glow of the setting sun filtering through the windows, taking in the familiar sight

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

Even though had been living there for three months, everything was still the same as it had been. Even when Brandon had moved in, he had respected the

I looked around at the familiar furniture, memories started playing

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