TRUTH IN THE ASHES

to chat with a friend. But her eyes were l

nie and Alex-wal

. Her sister's face looked soft; a little shy, but happy.

ile dissip

doesn't even like parties. She doesn't dress up. She doesn't

Alex. Polished, rich, charming and gentlemen who were loving

lking out with quie

_____________

ie hugged her

ol, but her heart wa

ng now and then. She kept wondering: Why me? Why i

ay?" Alex a

cing at him. "Ju

ed. "Ab

away, her cheeks red "Mayb

but his mind was like a stor

ct her. Not to

real. No games.

the first time in a long time,

_____________

e the party

d unsure of

on't think too much about it, you will

k so," she an

has ended is m

," she c

ent, he put the car in park, and i

et you here tonight,

er heart full of gratitude and nervous

ex," she whispered,

oing to say something mo

ight,

nn

ng her dress and Alex's coat. She stared at the floor, b

ust ha

ky. She hadn't expected to meet anyone

way that wasn't pain... but wasn't peace either. She

im, and for a moment she th

te. Maybe he was like that with everyone. M

he looked at her made her

l

self a glass of whiskey and walked across out t

nd wasn't

as o

nn

f a famous soup. She wasn't like the women

Her voice stayed with

m a little though

found himself wanting to know more.

aring into the dark. Small lig

nderstand what

n't kn

, he wanted

g-nothing too serious, just short messages, but they made her smile.

cky no

ways n

ky only made

to everyone especia

t up-he's not your type.

hem. But each time, her

y's

out calling. She was dressed perfectly, like always,

?" she asked, witho

inked. "W

u left the party with him the other da

hroat tighten. "W

, don't be naïve. He's not for

ed. "What do

means you should stop talking with him. Yo

voice trembled, but

d you?" you dragged me to that party. I didn

"But you stayed. You

did. Maybe for once, someone saw me... not ju

hung bet

e softened-b

annie. He's not wh

know if Becky was right or just

sn't

Becky

door behind her; Tannie sat on th

alous, Prote

d that say

lled the messages up and down

in, if that's okay with

ie didn'

t