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The floor creaked with randmother’s footsteps She sucked in a breath when she rounded me, shocked by my battered appearance “Oh my lord, what happened to you?” Her voice quivered “Who hurt you? Tell me, Rynna Who hurt you? I won’t stand for it”

Vigorously, I shookthe lie “No one I justI can’t stay in this stupid town for a secondto find Mama”

I hated it The way the ony

“What are you sayin’?”

“I’”

A weathered hand reached out to grip ot to do your speech Walk across the stage in your cap and gown Never seen anyone so excited about soonna up and leave? If you can’t trust ht You left here just as happy as a bug in a rug, and now you aren’t doing anything but runnin’ scared”

Tears streaking down my dirty cheeks, I forcedto me “You’re the only person I can trust, Grao Let’s leave it at that”

Anguish creased ed face “Rynna, I won’t let you just walk out like this”

She reached out and brushed a tear from under my eye Softly, she tilted her head to the side, that same tender s at the corner of her , you’re crying Nohich would you rather be doin’?” She paused, and I couldn’t bring ure so out Just like ays do”

Sadness swelled like its own being in the tiny rooerandmother had ever whispered in my ear “I can’t stay here, Gramma Please don’t ask me to”

With the plea, ering kiss to her cheek, breathing in the ever-present scent of vanilla and sugar, co it to memory

I tugged my suitcase from the bed and started for the door

Gra, “Rynna, don’t go Please, don’t leavethat’s so bad that I won’t understand That we can’t fix”