d her wet hands vigorously on her faded apron and sat down on

umpled piece of paper. It was the suicide note th

athetic, desperate handwriting, detailing her obs

the paper and ripped it in half. The sound o

rsed Kurtis, calling him a wolf in shee

he emotional outburst with detached calculation,

space between the sofa and the TV. The floor

nd glared at Bridget. She demanded that Br

speration. She ordered Bridget to get every si

t let the town treat her da

get's mind. The desperate hoping, the pathetic longi

rd, forcing the bile down. Her finan

e reputation landmines left out in the op

al clear. There was no shame, no hesitation

her lap. Her voice was

e had prepared herself for a screaming match, for

eyes narrowing. She suspected Bri

y from the weakness, but she locked her kn

y that she wasn't just going to get the letters bac

ive edge in Bridget's eyes that had never been

the coat rack. She pulled dow

s in her back screamed in protest. Bridget frowne

ocation of the volunteer camp a

ions, her brain still struggling to proce

oor and wrapped her hand arou

rm, a flash of genuine maternal fear in her eyes. She

her mother a confident, reassuri

hed the door open. The bright a

adjust, then marched down the woo

dead leaves. Bridget pulled the canvas coat ti

mbols of teenage heartbreak. They were outst