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"Oh…uh, yeah She’s getting dressed Wanted to pick her own outfit this h Mywhat she’ll co down the stairs in

Leah spends her day at the church daycare with my mom I’m fortunate that we’re able to make this work I’m lucky my mom is able to help There are days where I’m not sure how I’ve survived without Beth

Beth was excited about being a mom It’s really the reason we ultiirl with all her heart She only had her for a hter to look just like her, to act like her It’s almost like a soul left Beth’s body the day that car sliced through her and found a hohter welded together It used to hurt looking at her, especially when she got older, a toddler with a personality and mannerisms All I saas Beth But over the last year, I’ve realized how lucky I am to have this small piece of her witha light across her face from the hallway, just so I can re the wood at the top of the steps, and it piques both my mom andthe steps one at a tis to help her slide down each stepshe owns And she’s wearing a pair of h heels on her feet, rolled up socks stuffed in the back, poorly, to try to keep thenize it i She has only spoken to Paige in passing, but I think she sees Leah’s fantasy being played out too And I think it concerns her

"Baby girl, I don’t think you’re quite ready forher halfway down the steps Leah’s head falls, and I see the disappointment all over her face

"But your outfit looks really nice," I say, just wanting to see her sain

Leah bites her lip and holds on to the banister, trying to stand inshe has on She twists fro the pink material around her knees sway "Do you think she would like it?" she asks, bottoe I’ But the uilty for even thinking it--alhts from wherever she is I feel bad because I knoould hurt her feelings And I feel bad because…I’e? The way Paige stood up to those kids, the way she’s trying to fix things with her sister--those things…they’re part of the kind of the person I want Leah to be

"I think she’d love it You can show her when she gets ho to the s when she first tried to walk down the steps

"What if we go with the sandals today, though--for safety?"her hand out for Leah’s foot She takes each shoe off, rolling the socks in her hands Leah nods a concession, and lances at me over her shoulder, that same concerned line of her lips

When they co her atat her ability to re Beth and Paige

After she andfor class, and take off for my shift at the store My classes are all late in the afternoon this sera to e There won’t be tie

When I get to the store, I help Chuck unload a few boxes in the back froht deliveries, and he notices when I protectmy run-in with Carson Maybe not one of uy in his place

"No, this…was a different incident," I say, turning, because I don’t want to look hiood ti, I couldn’t think of anything quickly enough