BLOOD AND CONTRACT

flat like a stone through glass. My heart beat hard as I reache

my dad's best friend, the one who taught me to ride a bike, alwa

?" My voice c

there's been

books on my desk turned into a blur, and

paused; his voice broke. "He'

, when I was about to finish school, about to make him proud. Dad was meant to

Are you

rying to stop the huge wave of s

e cops said he fell asleep driving." Richard's tone was fi

hs. About Grace, still with two years of med school left. About the

come home,"

y to get you.

words from Richard. He checked on me in the mirror, his g

id as my old home came into view.

dark hair dull. Grace was there too, still i

been here," I s

e done," Mom said, soft agains

g, if I had helped more, if I had been here-not in

How to say goodbye, who to call, what had to be done. He wa

utting his folder. "I've talked to Henders

d emptily. "What wou

ind. "You're like fam

ctober air smelt of old leaves and came co

n my arm. I wanted to pull a

t ab

s school costs." His tone was soft, but

ill. "What

house up against it to keep it going. And Grace's school.

w b

s. Grace will have to drop out from school. And your mom..." H

wall. Everything I had worked for

," I breathed. "Insuran

deep into my eyes. When h

e your family, Izzy. But it