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The blood rushes fro She drops bonelessly onto the couch, and it looks like she’s having trouble breathing

“It’s fine, Mo over to pat her shoulder “It’s not anything dangerous or criminal I mean, it is a little bit freaky, but it’s not crazy or anything like that I just dress up, and then Xavier and I play together as a daddy and a little girl It’s harmless, don’t you see? He doesn’t beatof that sort”

Mytrouble breathing Her face is now totally white and she raises one hand to her chest, while wheezing sounds come out of her throat

“Are you okay, Moosh, Mom, Mom! Are you okay?”

With that,into a heap on the floor I’ in od, did my mom just have a heart attack because ofto die? Suddenly, I know I’ll never forgive myself if my mom passes away because of me

15

Katie

Dinah stirs in the hospital bed, and I’ed out of the ridiculous Rainbow Brite outfit, and aray t-shirt now But it hardly matters My mom looks waxen and pale, and the beeps fro her pulse seem weak and oddly erratic

“Mo her hands “I’m so sorry I swear, I’ll break off this relationship with Xavier Carlton I didn’t mean to shock you like that, and I’ll cut it off, I swear You can come live with me, Mom I didn’t want you to because my apartment is so small, and I was afraid we’d drive each other crazy if ere squashed together like that But it doesn’t ure it out, okay? I’m sorry, Mom I’m really sorry,” I cry out as tears spill from my eyes

My hs a little bit She looks pale and waxen and I sob a littleto action

“Here, have so from a pitcher by her bed I hand her the cup, and she takes it with a tre hand

“Here, use a straw,” I say, reaching for a white and red striped straw lying on her tray “It’llthat you’re so weak”

MyAfter what feels like a few minutes, she puts the cup back down and takes my hand

I sob again, wailing my distress

“I’ selfish, and I know that catching me in that outfit took you by surprise But I swear, what Xavier and I were doing wasn’t dangerous or even bad It’s just a little roleplay that we like to indulge in, but I know it’s disgusting to you, and I’ll stop it, I proain, if that’s what you want,” I cry out “But please, don’t have another heart attack, okay? It was really scary, and you’re all I have”

Dinah ss like her throat is dry, and then the corners of her mouth turn up in a smile