smelled like old bleac

as

ost, sliding along the chippe

safer t

photograph, corners sof

m

red but smiling. She worked t

nter downtown wa

ecked, but it felt more a

re. He was the p

tin soldier my mom gav

loorboard. He didn't make a big deal,

r forg

y I kept g

n, a new wom

front desk, typing

ck tight and a way of movin

t couch, pretending

watche

licking towards

some kids, laughing.

didn' t change, but he

nderstand then, but it f

hen Ethan glanced

. Her eyes were sharp,

n at my comi

ch at the home was wate

owing a kid how to

an stood up

for a second, her shoulde

t for a breath,

notice. He was focu

to the small

red who

t smile.

want to be there, but als

strange c

s waiting f

som