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"Yes, I know I meant to call you earlier about that I’ soconsiderate I see flashes of gy with ar attention fro me up onto Black Jack’s saddle with a twinkle in his eye

The wartainted our relationship When I thought I was the luckiest girl on the planet

"There are some issues with competition and we need to lay low for a while Jimmy will sort it out, but until then, you just enjoy yourself I see you’ve put a good dent into the ht a fe dresses," I lie I went back to the bank last week to drain my secret account and a chunk of the one Sa it all into a safety deposit box that I can access at any time

"Good I’ll send you some more money to keep you busy There won’t be any more deliveries of any kind for a while"

There’s dead silence on the phone as he waits for er Irisky"

Another way in? What does that mean? Another way in that doesn’t involvedrops, no ? With my free hand, I pinch my forearm I’m still here My phone is still in my ear

In the back ofelse at work If it’s not this easy, if Sa to his suspicions abouta drop for a long tiain

That life could truly be part of my past

And then I could actually look at Cain as part of my future I’ll have to tell him about this one day, of course But, by then, ive h Cain’s door

I float On a fluffy white cloud of shock and confusion and possibilities and hope that never existed before, I float through the condo, in search of a possible new future I find it on the balcony, stretched out on a lounge chair with a book

Cain looks up to seeover him "Charlie?" He watches for athe book free frorip, I forcein his bewildered expression

And the tears begin to fall

Cain is beside hi, Charlie?" His hands, his eyes, begin searchingfor a physical injury And still I cry, only nowme into a borderline hysterical fit of sobs, as I choke back the tears enough to say, "Nothing’s wrong"

Cain must think I’m insane

Maybe I am