Page 40 of My Rules

A liar

A player

A cheater

Cold

Selfish

Controlling

Mean

Nasty

Heartless

If there’s a god out there, please hear my prayer.

Please let me meet a man who is worthy of my love.

I’m losing faith that he exists.

I read and reread the last two lines.

Please let me meet a man who is worthy of my love.

I’m losing faith that he exists.

Sadness fills me.

Her list of attributes she wants in a man ... I’ve never met anyone who ...

I sit back down on the side of her bed and watch her for an extended time. My mind is racing with a million thoughts. None of them good.

She doesn’t deserve any of this. She never did.

I want her to be happy. I want her to find the man of her dreams. I want someone to love her as much as she loves them.

I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear, and I know what I need to do.

I’m going to find her a good man ... even if it kills me.

Chapter 5

Rebecca

“Pack away your pencils, and then we’re going to do some recorder practice,” I call from my place on the stepladder. I hold the painting up to where I want to hang it, take the thumbtack out of my mouth, and push it into the corner.

Decorating my classroom is my favorite hobby and most definitely an extreme sport.

“Miss Dalton ...,” a little voice calls. “Lucy took my pencil sharpener.”

“Lucy,” I call. “Did you accidentally take Carter’s pencil sharpener?”

“No,” Lucy calls.

“Do you want me to check your pencil case for you, just in case?” I ask.

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