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One breath

One step

I walked in and went to the closet, opening it wide All of Steven’s clothes hung on the hangers, andTaking all of the clothes off the hangers, I tossed the the back of my eyes I opened his drawers and pulled out the rest of his itele article of clothing Steven owned found its way to the ground

I lay in the pile, rolling through his slight scent, which I pretended was still there I whispered his naht of hi me in his arms The tears of my pained heart released on the sleeve of Steven’s favorite T-shirt, and I fell more and more into my sorrow My cries ild and thick with ache, like a creature in indescribable pain Everything hurt Everything was broken As the rew s The profound tranquility of my dreadful seclusion took me away into a deep sleep

When I opened irl and her Bubba were lying besideover her body, and the rest covering me Every time a moment like this one appeared, I felt a little likecare of her when I should’ve been a child led in closer to her, kissed her forehead, and promised myself I wouldn’t fall apart any, Kathy and Lincoln showed up bright and early to pick up Eht as I was about to walk out ofit, I pasted on est fake smile as I stared at three women who lived on my block--three women I hadn’t missed one bit "Marybeth, Susan, Erica, hi"

I should’ve known it wouldn’t be long before the threeon"How are you doing, darling? We heard ru back into town, but you know us, we hate gossip, so we had to see for ourselves"

"I made you a meatloaf!" Erica exclaimed "After Steven died, you left so fast that I wasn’t able to make you any comfort food, so noas finally able to make you this meatloaf to help you mourn"

"Thanks, ladies I was actually just on ?" Susan cut in "Is she dealing? My Rachel was asking about her and wondering if they can have their play dates again, which would be great" She paused and leaned in "But, just to be clear, E froious with other kids"

I hate you, I hate you, I hate you I sood"

"So you’ll be back at our book club s? Every Wednesday at Marybeth’s The kids stay in the base while we chat it up about a novel This e’re reading Pride and Prejudice"

"I--" …really don’t want to go Their eyes zoned in onmyself more trouble than it orth Plus, it would be nice for Ee "I’ll be there"

"Perfect!" Marybeth’s eyes glanced around the yard "Your yard has quite a personality" She said it with a grin, but what it really rass? You’re e on it," I explained I took theout and locking nal that I was on et going into town"

"Oh? What are you doing in town?" Marybeth questioned

"I’ to see if Matty needs an extra hand at Savory & Sweet"

"Even though they just hired someone? I doubt they’ll have room to add you on," Erica explained

"Oh, so the ruain? It makes sense that you wouldn’t, without Steven," Marybeth said

Susan nodded in agreement "He was quite the business ree Itso… a waitress I know I couldn’t do it What a step backward"

Screw you, screw you, screw you I s into you I’h"

"Wednesday at seven!" Susan s myself past them, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as I listened to theained a few pounds and how heavy the bags under my eyes were

I walked toward Savory & Sweet Café, and I tried my best to shake the nerves What if they didn’t need any help in the café? What would I do to make money? Steven’s parents toldthey would help us out for a while, but I couldn’t help it I needed to find a way to stand onopen the door to the café, I smiled when I heard the loud shout fro andover the counter and tackling o and turned to Matty, the owner of the shop "Matty, tellthis too and I’s I took before co to work"