Ten Years a Ward

tayed t

unable to block out the ambiguous

as impo

lighting a cigarette. She had secret

her mouth, just like the

ent downstairs with dar

ed and glowing, pulled

up. What kind of party do you

re just visible above her collar. They

an on a beach one evening. She

en on, every one of his birthday

is eyes were

plague. He had forgotten ever

pted from the kitchen. "If you want to know a

. "I just thought Ava

r heart aching. "I don

bitterness in her heart t

arly? Ethan's voice, sud

. "I have an appoint

visa? Are you going on a

pproval. "Ava, I don't want you getting involve

er heart. She didn't even h

"Oh, Ethan, don't be so strict. Ava is

e left togethe

g room, her hands slow

eenth year, and she ha

youth be buried in a s

e. A light drizzle was fal

nd drop her off on rainy days, holding an umbrella over h

f to get used t

mbrella and walk

ab when she instinctively clicked on Ethan's prof

t posted a

rfect for an offi

g picture of him and Chloe. He was

on was flooded wi

idn't ache with that familia

y typed a

made i