Page 12 of Proposition 1

I mumble something about trying to even though I’m convinced the night will be anything but. As I pull open the door, I turn back to look at her.

“Don’t worry if I’m not home when you wake up, I’m staying at my friend’s house.”

I was going to say more, but she flapped her hand at me.

“You’re a smart girl, just be safe. And no drinking and driving!”

I huffed again, lips tugging up into a grudging smile as she waved a finger at me.

“Yes, Momma.”

She waved as I walked through the door and closed it behind me. I didn’t like having to lie to her, but I remind myself it’s for a good reason. It wouldn’t hurt to let her think I was going out and having fun like she was always telling me I needed to.

I walked down the broken sidewalk from the door to the curb, making my way over to the edge of the property so I wouldn’t be noticed from the house. Leo said he would send a car for me, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the kind that would blend in on this side of town, and I didn’t need Momma or Michael looking out the window and asking questions later.

I waited in front of the overgrown honeysuckle bush at the end of our driveway for about five minutes before I saw headlights coming down the street. Our neighborhood was quiet since most of our neighbors were older couples whose kids had moved away, so I figured it had to be Leo’s car.

Once it was close enough for the dim streetlight over my head to glint off the silver hood and Lincoln symbol, I knew it was, and I walked a little further down the street to be sure it didn’t stop in front of my house. Stepping out into the road, I clutched my purse in front of me as I waited for it to roll to a stop.

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