ng the strap of her cheap bag, her e

already dabbing at her

oice gentle but strained. "This

nt smile. "Hi, Kylie. It's...

ere back, buzz

so sweet. No res

hing nice! Don't

elcomed her, promised to

I just nodd

as flat. U

or a split second. Maria'

hanged a quick,

throat. "This is a lot to take

Mom" or anything about my birth moth

her food, praising Mom's cooking

stly sta

ept up a runni

Someone get the poor gi

s full. Offer her som

focusing on my

er, I excu

knock on my

hl

I'm just... really thirsty. And I saw you have one of those fa

uffed shoes. "Mom's alway

r hands on her apron. She'd already

aria smiled, a little too brightly. "Maybe you could get her one of

ments w

butter milkshake!

ve branch! G

he quickly looked shy again.

ence was a b