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The pride that flashed over his unshaven cheeks almost undid me Why he’d always had so much faith in my sorry ass was lost on me

I didn’t deserve it I didn’t deserve hi his arm around my shoulder and said, "I always knew you could do it Keep your head down and get straight"

He began leadinghair "What the fuck’s up with the long hair and beard? Never known you to have anything but a buzz cut"

"Don’t know Just never bothered to cut it"

Austin stopped, and I could feel his hard stare I eventually looked up and raised nize you, that’s all It’s like you’re another person And…" His brown eyes bored into my left cheek, and I lifted my hand to where my Stidda, my tattooed black star, used to be, the hter for life "You covered it…"

I glanced away "Yeah…" I replied, no more information needed

"Why?" He pushed

"Just did, kid"

"To a crucifix?" he questioned, but I just shrugged Austin was still staring, but I wasn’t going there

"You got yours took off," I stated proudly

"It ain’t o" I nodded in understanding, and Austin took that as his cue to h the door, I could feel Austin keep looking atHis ar and placed it on the black h the unease I felt at being in such a place I was used to the thin walls, tin roofs, and plastic s of trailers, or stone floors andin now… a ht all off his own back, from his own talent It was damn surreal