The Day I Became Free

ay was suppose

shifts at the coffee shop, just for today. J

sign of the harsh winter to come. I held the door open to

y blue winter coat. "It's insulated. It would be perfect

was busy texting, her face pinch

e, Gabrielle. Don'

r you," I insisted, my voi

e from behind me. "I'm so

tagged along for the sole purpose of complaining. He kicked at

icked back to the coat, then to me. "Fine. If you're so determined to

as close enough. A small, tight knot of hope for

we passed a huge, brightly lit tent set up in the town squar

a crowd had gathered a

a grubby finger at a display case on the stage. "Whoa. Th

l manipulative whine already starting

s coat, Caleb. Maybe for Christm

ed on Maria's arm. "Mom! She won'

the display case. "Trade Your

n looked from the gaming consol

warmth. "Why spend money when you have all that

oat in the bag suddenly fel

d, not sure I had

ted, louder this time, as if I were stupid. "At least th

just tried to show by buying her a coat. She was saying they w

, but this time it seemed