oor shut, a smile t

s for sugar all too well; it w

hat was half conspiracy, half irony. She laughed, a

d, popping another Tw

falling out," she replied, pressing the ac

set her. Not now. She went on, as if

lled about moving, but I'm convinced you'll end u

ieved her, to give her that chance. But that didn't mean it would be easy.

nally. "But promise m

w. The landscape had dissolved into a stretch of dense gr

into a forest?"

a reassuring hand on my knee. "No, it's

r, buildings began to appear, s

our of them, staring at our car like they owned the road. The memory

ing her eyes on the road. "How do you re

w she was hoping fo

I also wanted to show her I was making an effort. "I think this is

had its advantages, that much was undeniable. The people seemed open, and I wanted to believe

car would make it even worse. How was I supposed to get around? We

oked up at it. In spite of myself, a smile stretched my lips. The facade had charm-a lit

were glu

ad been abandoned for years. With a little care and work, it could be

ther admitted, "but I already fell

rpets, the dated furniture, the musty smell-the wh

rimace. "And look at the garden. With a little attention, it'll be gor

and who was I to take that away from her? My mood

added after a pause. "Hey,

"Already feel

ug. "But I can wait. Do you wan

the rest would follow. As for where she was gett

to check if the he

hat didn't

ldn't get any worse, right? Just as I was leanin

d a

my head spun. My heart h

sl

nonchalance. "So you're the one mo

feeling that something was off. Closing the car door with a kick, I stared

oblem?" I dema

been empty for a long time, that's all. I live a little

anyone buy

No idea. Want m

she grabbed a box from the tr

be her friend. Something a

stepped out, stopping short. "Oh, who's t

ouse has been empty for a long time. Are you sure this was a go

randmother s

up. Once she made a decision,

said, her tone softening. "

pered with a smile befor

t that was deceptive. She could b

rom her. I couldn't figure this girl out. Was s

nyway, I'd rather be here. My brother has friends

r brother?" I a

fifty," she answered with a smile.

ferabl

m. What about you, do you ha

child,"

on a loose stone and I lost my balance. The box tumbled from my

up my jeans to dig a sharp

Isla asked, le