Recognition dawned, albeit slowly, and he mumbled, “Cheyenne?”
Her name, the confirmation that he still retained some semblance of his former self, was like music to her ears. Her gaze cut through the gloom, searching for any sign of the man who was once the neighborhood’s anchor. The restaurant they were headed to was posh, and she wanted to look her best. They settled into the soft cushions, her skin still damp from the shower, a stark contrast to the rough fabric beneath them. Larry’s response came as a small nod, his gaze lingering on her face. She paced the length of the porch, the rough planks creaking beneath her weight. *****
The click-clack of high heels on hardwood, the sound cutting through the silence like a siren’s call. She chooses a breathtaking wall portrait of Erin, her green eyes dancing with mischief, and strategically places it in the living room. The camaraderie they share is a testament to their collective resilience, and as they clear away remnants of a life once lived, they also pave the way for new beginnings. Stacks of dishes teetered precariously on countertops, and clothes lay strewn about like fallen leaves in autumn. Now she was twenty one and the picture of perfection. With every window she opened after cleaning it, the room seemed to breathe a sigh of
