The rest of the yard took forever. My body screamed, but finishing was the only thing that made sense. When I finally stopped, I set the mower down, wiped my hands on my shorts, and tried not to notice my blurred vision.
“I’m stubborn, I guess.”
Mrs. Higgins squeezed my hand, her grip unexpectedly firm. “You’re a good girl, Ariel. Remember that.” She looked at me with an intensity like she was memorizing my face. “Don’t let this world take that from you.”
I tried to joke. “If the world wants anything from me, it’s going to have to wait until I get a nap.”
She smiled. “Get some rest, honey.”
I waved as I walked home, grateful for the shade. That night, I lay in bed, one hand on my belly, staring at the ceiling cracks. I felt lighter—just for a moment.
“Get some rest, honey.”
A siren woke me at dawn. Blue and red lights cut through the blinds, washing my bedroom walls in panic. For a wild second, I thought maybe Lee had returned to cause trouble, or maybe the bank had already come for the house.
When I pulled on the first cardigan I could find and stepped outside, the street was chaos.
There were two patrol cars, a sheriff’s SUV, neighbors gathered on their lawns, faces tight with curiosity. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and stepped onto the porch, trying to look braver than I felt.
