a

xpected my voice to be gravelly, like one of those Truth commercials with the smokers, warning kids against the perils of tob

s. I tried to fight him, but I was dwarfed by his size. He'd

nued twirling me until I was

y feet. "You'll always be my little

y eyes. "D

one that can say that to you. If some young boy invites you

, if you could stop cleaning your gun out front and talking about your connect

ged innocently.

anic..." I patted his c

ed his fingers. "That wou

d she's actually white," I pointe

"I'll think

ood girl, you know that. The last thing I want is to end up pregnant.

k. "Neither can p

they

gri

"Alright, good tal

. "... I only threaten because I care. I

argue bright

cheek again. "Just be careful. Make good choice

is pants a

estions later. That's like G

ired as de

to secrecy! Don't tell Mom. She still thinks it

on with my lips. "I'l

raised y

n who's aski

couragingly. "Big di

d the screen door and

drugs!" he

was open, and he yel

" Dad called. "H

Elliot agreed. "Goo

"I like him better

the last one?" Ell

na see?" Dad grinned. "You

from my eyes. I was usually so good at keeping them tucked

ted to tal

one everything one-hundred percent. There'd never been hesitation in any area of his life. Whatever he did, he did well. It was the perfect example for a young girl. Don't try

chosen ch

dem

ki

out over playing multiple sports and sat on the bench - I was b

d of a fam

or don't d

uckles turned white, and my fingers cramped, but sti

apist always said to focus on the positive. Well, at least

to do that

still slicing through my chest. I'd once heard that memory

uld define your fut

hing exciting, your body responded to it as if it wa

f I was back in the car, dressed in my cheerleading sweats, falling

allen

d

o exhausted that he'd drift

olted me out of

as

goin

s going to make it a point to avoid every single place I'd

ady in a l

need to a

y store or anything even remotely related

the freeway and c

s done with self-pity - absolutely done - and even though the way he'd treated me made me sick to my

dn't l

l phon

me

and I have chocolate cake for you at our place when you get into Seaside. Oh, and she has some clothes for y

xha

a

ln Greene. F

on the

late

l, my new goal? Eating that cake while gi

mil

t would f