be a go

asked herself just days ago-

ld never be a

at of divorce, and before she could even make another move, h

ep. Emotionally and practically, she lost her indepe

e regr

et too comfortable, lett

e

ose feelings m

once again, ended t

ther Francie when another call came in-this one from t

informed, he immediately

e didn't come along himself this time-clearly, the two hours he'd jus

cie again. He'd gotten himself into trouble, and

ollowed her in but kept a two-step distanc

He was brought in this afterno

it back. "He's giving his statement ri

like she'd done it a dozen times b

cie had gotten into a bar fight-pu

ruction site to film a video for social m

incidents

dy twenty-but still impulsive, reckless,

cie looked physically fine-no visible injuries-but h

a red light. Luckily, no one got hurt, but it was extremely dangerous. Also

Emily knew why he

e-but that motorcycle? That was

suspension, and the requirement to attend a traff

e finger toward the building and muttered angrily, "I'll take the d

enough punishment for you? Want t

arther away-far enough to give them some space. At that d

testing out a corner! Nothing even happene

Emily's head was pounding. "Have you even thought about your family? A

ell, if you don't tell her and I don

u grow up already? You're acting out because you've got too much ti

've got room to talk? You

e into fire. Emily's tone dro

t down on his tongue and looked away, ref

ew weeks like you? You in and out of pol

in the wrong

en they were young, and their grandmother had to work three jobs just to su

like always, he'd just ride out her lect

voice softer but tired. "At the very lea

ing how this time her tone felt different-

er people forever," he sprang upright and grinned playfu

nstantly flush

would you say something like that? You think your brother-in-law

razy about you. Unless you're bored out of your mind or lo

ke it was som

ok a dee

yone-friends, family... including herself. Thre

woman?" she asked, looki

aned back against the tree again. "Come on, you k

nervous. "WAIT-don't scare me. You're just m

I want you to understand is this: don't be like me. Do

wisted, clearly not ta

ou guys are really having problems

oze. "Wh

ve. "Francie, what a

'd help me. Said he'd back me

at

he last time you got into a fight? The only reason you didn't end up in jail is because we sp

ne who told me to get a job! Now I try to star