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I closed ie I’d never heard her talk to anyone else Not even her family Yet she’d not hesitated to speak toabout her that made her so incredibly special After all she’d faced and all she’d been through, she still had compassion She still sacrificed for others I wasn’t sure I could have done the same in her situation

"It’s a pleasure tofriends ho you," Moht in her eyes I hadn’t seen in a while

Maggie blushed and looked up at ers over Maggie’s hand the way she so often didHer face was tired and weary, buther happy I realized Momma must feel so isolated with just us and no other life in the house No distractions to help her cope e were facing

"I think we both needed a friend who could understand us," Maggie said, surprising

Moie But ouldn’t? "Your dad is awake He needs to take hisher in there to " Momma nodded toward the hallway

He was in pain, hat that translated to "If he needs to go ahead and take his medicine now, I can introduce her to hi her head "Oh no, he knows you’re co a friend already I told him He wants to meet her"

I glanced down at Maggie "You ready?" I asked, wanting to give her one last chance to change her ement I needed was in her eyes

I didn’t care that ht now Slipping htly Then alked down the hall to my parents’ bedroom

I eased the door open slowly and peeked inside

"Stop being quiet, boy I hear you Cohed It was avoice I’d always known

Maggie didn’t pause but walked right inside with her hand still firmly tucked in ht ho all over

"Thank you," Maggie said