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For the first time today, Jules smiles It’s a smile I’ll hold as one of my favorites for the rest of my life

MY PARENTS ARE WAITING for us at home e pull into the driveway I wanted to wait to tell them the news about Aria until we’ve had time to process it more, but Jules wanted to tell them as soon as possible She needs rest, notto tell them about Theo’s deception I was in no fra rooain, and I beat the shit out of hi kill them, especially Mom

I didn’t expect to see Ella and Vicki alk through the door Not that I planned to keep it from them, I just assu by or calling later

“Jazz is watching over the shop,” she explains when I look at her with questioning eyes

Truth be told, I wouldn’t have blamed her if she had closed down Ink Me for the day She knows so went down between Jules, Theo, and me and would want to know the news

Mo around the corner of the kitchen then screeches to a halt, her hands flying to herto her eyes when she sees Jules’s face A soft sob escapes herhands Dad walks out behind Moe look when he takes in Jules’s appearance

“Oh, God,” Mom whispers with a cracked voice She slowly rabs one of Jules’s hands “You poor baby”

“I’ her voice

“And thank God for that” Mo you, but I don’t want to hurt you”

I can feel rather than see Jules smile as she tells Mom, “I just have a little headache, but I could certainly use a hug”

It’s a lie I know she’s hurtingShe doesn’t need to be I’ll be the strong one for both of us

Mom’s eyes find mine over Jules’s shoulder once she has her wrapped in her arhter than normal I’ve always hated when Mom is sad This particular pain is worse, because it involves her children

My eyes stray from Mom’s and meet Dad’s The tic in his jaw that always says he’s upset or angry about so a mile a minute

“How you doing?” he asks in his deep baritone

A grunt is all the answer I give Physically, I’iveslook He knows, even if he doesn’t have the full story yet