#Chapter 62: Two Steps Forward One Step Back

I didn’t sleep well last night. My heavy heart and scattered mind kept her awake with fitful dreams of being chased and of getting separated from Alex. I send my mother a good morning text, as I’ve done every day since I arrived here, then climb out of bed. Alex’s words last night weigh on me. No one has ever spoken the words “I love you” to me except my mother. Even now it makes me want to hug the pillow and cry. Only I can’t cry now. I need to be strong for Alex. It isn’t fair to make him regret the inevitable more than he already does. He can’t help his fate anymore than I can, and I can’t make him feel guilty for choosing to follow the path set before him. It’s not like he has a choice, anyway. But I don’t have to like it all the same…or Rita. Speak of the devil, as soon as I walk into the kitchen to get a glass of milk, I see Rita is seated at the table, drumming her fingers. Her scowl sets me on alert. If looks could kill… I try not to make eye contact, picking up my pace an