~KAHLAN AND JUSTIN~ Justin had made me a tea, grabbed a blanket and had me sitting comfortable on the couch. When I called I knew he’d come. He was here within ten minutes and was ready to take care of me. He sat at the end of the couch, by my feet, watching me. I stared into my dark tea, thinking about Damon and Elisha. I wished Damon could give me some credit. When I stopped by that morning to tell him I loved him, that I was okay with his past, I knew something was off. Just the way he looked… I had made love to him plenty of times. I had awoken next to him plenty of times. I knew those flushed cheeks, his sweaty body and sleepy eyes. I didn’t want to believe it, so I chose to ignore it. But I knew. I always knew. And the fact that he and his ex tried to test my sanity pushed me over the edge. I may have been a lot of things but crazy was not one of them. I could never harm someone… th

I walked out the sliding door into the backyard, to find a shirtless Justin sitting at the edge of the pool, two glasses sitting on the concrete beside him. He said nothing as I took a seat beside him. I had spent five minutes in the bathroom, crying for my relationship. I was sure Justin knew, but he didn’t bother me. He gave me the time that I needed. He handed me a drink, watching me bring it to my lips and take a small sip. It was sweet. I could barley taste the strong clear liquor; instead, it tasted like orange juice. Screwdrivers were good. “Thanks.” “For what?” the young man asked, taking a deep breath, as he eased his body into the water. “Damon.” “I think you would’ve done just fine,&

When I opened the door to my old home, I expected to have flashes like before, to remember all the things that were bad. But this time, it was different. I saw all the good. I remember Christmas with my mom and dad when they bought me an easy bake oven so I could cook like my mom. And I remembered Angela helping make cupcakes in the kitchen to support Emett in his hopes of becoming a Junior Prom King. And dad used to read me books so I could fall asleep up in my bedroom. Wow, all the good memories. The furniture was gone. I had planned to spend the night, and be out by dark, but did I really want to lie on the floor and smell the hint of bleach and new carpet. There was a knock at the door. I scrunched my face together. I was sure that the kids from before had left. I made my way to the door, and it flashed before me. The night that Ryan came to my door and murdered my family. That night the door was

~THE LOVETT’S~Leslie sat at the dining room table, hands overlapping each other as she stared out the window. She hadn’t heard form her son all night, and she was starting to become worried. She understood that they weren’t on the best of terms, but he could at least call and check in. She shook her head. Sandino was a man now. A man expecting a child, yet here she was, worrying about him as if he couldn’t take of himself. He had gone out and gotten a job. That was a stepping-stone in growing up. But there was still so much more. If only he could see. If only she could make him see. She felt worthless. How did her son’s life turn out like this? She found herself shuffling down the hall, her body and eyes tired. She tucked herself into bed, thinking that maybe Sandino got caught up with friends. She couldn’t afford to sit awake all night. She had work tomorrow as well, and each day, each hour

~THE HANCOCKS~ “Amy! Mya!” Paul screamed from the bottom of the stairs, his eyes staring at the top, waiting to see the girls faces appear. They both stared at him. Mya face showed her annoyance while Amy looked curious. “Can you two come downstairs for a moment.” They came down slowly. Mya was in front, being the leader while Amy followed by her sisters example. Paul made the mistake of having Kate over, which told that Paul knew everything that had taken place with Olivia. He had trouble sitting them down, and telling the truth, so in his eyes Kate was help that he needed. She had explained things better than he did, but it revealed that he had lied to his children multiple times. Everything was out in the open. Now, he just wanted to be forgiven. His eyes went to his wife, being sure that Julia would not leave his side. She gave him a forced smile of encouragement. He felt bad that Julia