alk to Sarah ag

ved bird, something he'd made in

a polite smile, but h

ut nothing has changed. You ne

t like a volcan

led less. The distance betw

hit their town

Jessica. Mike felt a sc

ver is really high. Do you have any of that strong flu medication

"I do have a little le

Mike was shivering

sica's room, cooing over h

last two doses of the

eo, giving him a chil

ing room where Mike lay

medicine?"

flicker of something

left. Jessica and Leo needed them more. You're str

at her,

in. Over him. Her own so

absolute, a fin

ered, his voice raw

hael

come back! You're no

nge. She simply nodded,

escaping him. It was over. He had no mother.

week, renting a small, st

rce, ignoring Sar

wledged his departure, too busy e

dn't con

al acquaintance that Jessica had appr

sudden, critical illness and needed e

first time, ref

expected handout, had rep

er vile names, accused her of b

r expression calm, and then had quie

Sarah hadn't seemed up

ng. Not satisfaction, but a deepening