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I nodded but didn’t say anything Rebekah’s features sobered as she studied me She was a pretty woman in her mid-thirties with short, dark hair and brown eyes, and she was about o out into public with both my mom and stepmom--God forbid that ever really happen--people would be ical mother Which was apropos, really Rebekah had been more of a ain soon, please? We like seeing you"

I nodded again,with fresh tears Rebekah moved forward and--a little aardly, because she usually wasn’t the hugging type--put her arms aroundon with you and your dad and I’ot family here, okay? We love you"

I pressed rateful for her care and concern--and especially her willingness to respectI know I don’t say thatin the car for me As I bent to slide into the driver’s seat, he stopped me with a hand on my arm "April…I just want you to know that I do love you and I do care I’ you before this"

"You did the best job you could," I said, clearing my throat "Just like I did the best job I could But it wasn’t good enough"

"Then we have to do better"

I nodded "Yeah"

Slowly, as if fearing I’d pull away, he bent and kissed ain next week I want us to spend soether if you can fit me in"

"I appear to have a lot of free ti he terminate me from the company It didn’t o back of ot in the car and drove the two hours ho about this new shift in h the day had been co, I couldn’t help but think about the radical change in me I’d stood up for h I’d royally fucked things up, I was also proud of

But I also felt empty I’d checked my phone before I started the car--no texts or calls from Jordan What had I expected? I forced myself not to think about him all the way home

More often than not, I failed

It was just before Sid’s bedtime when I arrived at our condo She was dressed in her flannel pajalih to s down and flopped onto o to sleep like that