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‘Feeling any better?’ Sara asked as she reached the top of the stairs

I nodded, er that I could’ve sas the best thing I’d ever tasted I wiped the ketchup from my lip and took a sip of the soda

‘I’m sorry,’ I told Sara as she sat down next to me

‘For what?’ she asked, like she had no idea what I was talking about

‘Are you serious?’ I scoffed ‘I’ve been a selfish lunatic the past two days And you’ve had to dragcare of me every minute I’m so sorry that I’ my shoulder with hers ‘You needed me And I was there for you It’s that siain’

I laughed lightly ‘I will never touch vodka again, that’s for sure’

‘Me neither’ Sara smirked ‘And I’ a hard ti at Evan’s’

‘We don’t need to talk about it,’ I told her, taking another bite of the burger, unable to stop wondering where he was Whether he’d stayed and was downstairs, or if he’d already driven houp I turned to find Jared behindthe untouched plate of food Anna had handed toto eat that?’

‘Go for it,’ I encouraged him ‘I’m surprised you’re here’ I diverted the conversation from his initial question

‘What is that supposed to lass-topped table on the enclosed porch, stuffing his face with garlic bread

‘That you’re in Sara’s house,’ I clarified ‘That’s … bold of you To show your face here’

‘I think her dad was about to slahed

‘What, do you think you’re going to earn points by sticking around and helping the to push it,’ he said, working on the lasagne slice

‘So … do youme to the airport to and rested ainst the couch

‘There you are,’ I heard Anna say fro towards us ‘Sara, could you give us a minute, please?’

My stomach swirled uncomfortably at her request

‘I’ll be downstairs,’ Sara toldher mother take her place on the couch

‘Coainst her, her arm spread wide My heart twisted as I leaned in to her, allowing her to wrap her arant floral scent and closed h my short hair ‘You’ve had a hard time the last couple of days, and I’m so sorry’

I sed, unable to form words

‘We’ll take care of you,’ she ently ‘I think you should talk to soh I can only i’

I remained silent, not at all te my insides

‘I worry about you all the time,’ she continued ‘I don’t kno to make you feel safe And as a mother, that’s all I ever want for you and Sara For you to feel safe and loved’

‘I do,’ I whispered ‘I always do when I’m in your house’

‘I wish you could feel the same when you leave it’

We sat in silence for ato her heart Her thin arth that did make me feel safe and loved within the?’ I said in a hushed tone

‘Of course,’ she encouragedherself?’ I closedfor her answer

‘Yes, she did,’ Anna answered, gentle but firm

‘Where?’

‘At the house on Decatur Street’

Air rushed fros ‘From the banister?’

‘Yes’

My chest felt tight, like there wasn’t any roo in pain

‘Did she suffer?’

‘No,’ I heard Anna whisper, her voice breaking

I pulled back to look at her, and tears trailed down her face

‘Why?’ I asked,with each blink