Heartbreak and Hope: A Quiet Rebellion

ng inside me. But it was the other pain, the one in my chest, that kept me awake. I replayed thei

fore ten, all smiles

elieve the traffic," David said, giving me a quick, one-a

stered on her face. "Sarah, you poor thing

for pleasantries. He ran

? Where' s my

her eyes were twinkling with indulgence

as! Now, where'

pen with a squeal of delight, not even glancing

mall, flimsy gift bag.

in a discount bin. It was an ugly shade of mustard yellow. I knew insta

e table, next to the beautiful silk scarf my best frien

oment they were

tmas checks!" I announced, t

and outstretched. "

es scanning the number. His face fell. "Fifty dol

eyes widened, and she shot a sharp, furious look at David. He took the envelope I held out to

a quick, silent conversation. What is

red into my bathroom, let out

ng in the doorway, holding t

om' s present!" he accuse

he jar from his hand. "This isn' t yo

. "Mom said you were getting it for her! It' s expe

parroted from his mo

ice dripping with condescension. "Sarah, really. You know I was hoping for that.

ty was br

ey," I said calmly. "I

d, his face turning red. He lunged forward and tried to

avid finally said, p

Noah screamed. "She

ir. She gave me a look of pure venom. "But maybe we should

eir things. The cheap sca

s voice low as Jessica took Noah out to

asked, looking him straight in the

ut she' s just trying to look out for us. For our future. You know, my business, it' s a

repeated softly.

never open. Is it so wrong that I want to connect

id. "It' s

is voice rose, filled with the same resentment I' d heard over the phone. "You were the one who kept me from him all th

n to my face, stole t

I whispered, the wo

life could have been different, better! Don' t you understand? I' m finally getting a chance