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John rounds on"The people in here are dedicated They didn’t walk away They didn’t forsake everything and everyone who loved theritted teeth "I need this"

"I only write letters for people who earn theet your ass in that locker roo on my floor Or are you still a runner?"

His face is in mine and it’s a testament to my stubbornness that I haven’t broken into tears A wave of nausea disorientsto help me, and, to protect the two people I love the ain

With all eyes on randfather and walk out the door

Chapter 2

West

I ask why ret the decisions I e The three don’t often combine, but today I hit the shit trifecta

Leaning against an aging telephone booth, I withdraw the envelope fro wind The University of Louisville logo stands out in red across the top I snagged the envelope yesterday beforethe mailbox, desperate for news that isn’t bad

My bruised and cut knuckles screaers pounds in tiot expelled fro

Moood news from me Mom holds on to hope Dad, on the other hand

I’m not a rocket scientist and don’t need to be to know thin letters aren’t good My head literally throbs reading the words I silently swear and slouch farther against the glass It’s only February and the rest of spring is going to bring more rejections

I cru outside the doors of the Laundroes of the letter Ironic The rest of s and I snatch it out of my coat pocket "Yeah"