Three Times I Died, His Calls Unanswered

of the Prickly Pear Lan

r y

n this sprawling Spanish-styl

ian, had put me on a pl

choed, cold

come back un

eighte

eologists, died in a r

eague, their friend, took

found my

page, drawi

confessions of a t

sted with anger,

feelings in

asn't blood. Just my guar

Arizona to Floren

nty-two, I

I was over

uzzed. "My

ile touche

th! Have you decided if we're doing the cere

ice, warm

I said. It

ey, make sure to tell your guardian, Marcu

," I pr

ren

r was a blur

all. The city, be

A dark alley, a k

in a tiny rented room, feve

rcus. Again

answered. Mes

foun

n student in th

ck to health. B

ent courtship, his

aid

lly called

me. For your par

s here. To visi

im the weddin

for the ga

wung

Dave

school t

ed blonde hair, he

me no see! I thought

sweet, sent a sh

ck. Her cruelty, he

doing here?" My voice

ped out fro

ark hair neatly combe

cool authority, ju

ce, my react

creased

call her 'Chloe.'

an

eath

." *bully me relentless

, his voice sharp

Heartbroke

eached me. Mar

en galas. Private jet trips to Napa

gined it wo

the words.

oe's moving in today. You two need to get along.

ulders. They walked towards the

e won't be an 'after,' Marcus. Afte

he desert

returned, laughin

ion felt like a lea

Marcus's home

open

her eyes. "Well, well

n away. "Sorry

my arm, her na

your mouth shut about high school, or I

was a veno

d out who you really ar

nd. "We'll see. I made your life

a steamin

accidentally" spilled the sca

A piercing, th

s rus

sobbing. "Marcus, don't blame

o me, his face

You're still obsessed, still trying to cause trouble. I'm

did it. Out

ustice

e to give you th

Chloe out of the room, mur

entence to his

sessed with you anymore, M

n the hall. He hadn't h