Page 31 (1/2)

I don't respond, there's nothing to say to that srin on his face Besides, he'sout with

It also doesn't help that my heart races when he's around

“I love these old houses” I tell hi the subject “This one,” I point at the one we're passing It's a char two-story family home, a little run down and in need of love, but still adorable

Gio’s lips turn to a straight line “This has to be the worst one on the block Why?”

I s at the house Sure, it isn't as well maintained as the rest of the houses on the block, but it's the details that inal brick, and ivy that grows up the side “See the shutters?” I point to the black shutters on the front of the half with crescent moons cut out of the top and bottoms “I love that detail”

He stares at the house for a while, squinting his eyes He doesn't see the char details that I love

“Hives

“Fine,” I huff “But it’s adorable I stand by it”

He chuckles “Whatever you say, Annie”

My childhood home holds too many memories for me

It's a large two story family home built in a fancy Providence suburb near Federal Hill The house is a product of the dreaether, the dreaunned down

I scrub a hand down my face as I look over the house Ma is overgrown, the grass needs cut, and inside I’m sure to find piles of trash Dad and Ge ithout ma

There used to be so much life here, and now, just huether for more than one meal a week

Ma was the type of mother and ho loved to take care of everyone As a kid, I’d be greeted after school with the smell of fresh-baked cookies She was involved in every cohborhood She volunteered, donated time and money, she helped everyone she could

She was genuinely the best part of our family