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“You take care of everyone else but you Probably always have I’ your mother wasn’t e and you’ve been doing it ever since Caretaker Breadwinner Mother Protector Who takes care of you?”

“I take care of myself What are the rules?”

“They’re not so different froer If you need help then you will callyour health You’ll take care of yourself”

“So that’s it? A job and a place to live and I just have to follow the rules of the town?”

“Pretty much” He smiled “Of course, break the rules and there will be consequences”

Consequences

She stewed over those words as she stared at him How could he look so at home? He should appear completely out of place, dressed in his expensive clothes, not a hair out of place, sitting in her shithole kitchen His confidence astounded her Why is he here, offering to saveshe’d expected Not fro person a life raft And he knew it

She needed to be cautious though She knew the perils of ju note of all the pitfalls

She licked her dry lips then got up and poured herself a glass of water “Would you like one?”

“No Thank you”

So iven her a few seconds of reprieve, though She sat again, wellthat she should tell him no and run far and fast

But the other part wanted to believe in him To believe in what he said That part of her said she could have what she wanted A safe place for her boys A job she really desired To stay in Haven

To get to know this man better

And that last part really scared her

“What are the consequences? I won’t be abused”