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The night before my sleep had been fitful My blackout curtains, the three oscillating fans, and even a Benadryl couldn’t give ht sleep All I could think about was Mia Worse case scenarios kept playing in my mind

What if she refused to take me back? What if she had already fallen out of love with me?

>She’d left a tank top that she wore to sleep Hugging it close toin her floral scent, my heart thudded like a heavy brick

What would I do without her in my life?

I’d finally discovered what love was and how splendid it felt to love and be loved It was all gone because of Penny and her psychotic rage My hope was that once I saw Mia face to face I’d be able to explain everything

The negative thought that she would refuse to talk totears to e to wail My ht for her I’d plant ed away or vultures swooped down to eat my pitiful carcass

The nextas the night before, if not ue andzo Mia’s beautiful face again

Once in her hoht to herin a s too folksy or outdated As I drove through the uacamole set up there Mia had told me in animated detail about the Avocado Festival I was actually looking forward to going to the festival and taking part in one of Mia’s traditions

I pulled up to Mia’s e style house was cute with flower boxes in the s and ablue mailbox that had colorful painted birds all over it It looked like the kind of ho, and provincial

As I released a breath, I knocked on the door Mia’s mother answered “Can I help you?” she asked with a worried brow The resemblance between Mia and her mother was uncanny They had the same eyes and cheekbones

“Yes, Ms Sed desperately

Her face grinition “You’re Theo?” she inquired

“Yes, ma’am I’m Theo” My voice was conciliatory and on the brink of cracking

Mia’s mom shook her head dismissively “I’m sorry She doesn’t want to see you”

As she tried to sla her Ms Smith pulled the door open and accused, “Excuseme, son?”