Chapter 14

I go to school and send my subject teachers my apology for my absence from the morning classes. Throughout the afternoon classes, I have a clearer mind than I had yesterday. It may be because I've already secured the money needed for Mom's treatments. Or have I? I'm sure Ryle meant that. He'll lend me money in exchange for those three conditions. I have to work it out well for Mom. Just for Mom.

It's an afternoon recession. I run across the street and enter Aunt Hilda's block. As I enter their open entrance, Marco greets me, "Good afternoon, cousin."

I nod and then smile. "Good afternoon too, Marco. What's up?"

He sits on an upholstered stool. "I think Reign and I are going along well so."

"Well, that's good."

"How about you and Kent?"

I let out a long sigh. "Marco, I thought I'd told you about this thousands of times. We're never going to get back together. It's not going to happen anymore. Not now, and not in the following decades until I lie in my grave."

It's not a lie though. Ken