years
r years old, was a whirlwind of motion. He had a mop of dark, curly hair and a pair of startlingly
orked at a local fashion boutique, a job that paid the bills and allowed her to be home
cry shattered th
boy, Cody White, who was sitting on the ground, waili
who seemed to subsist on gossip and
rieked, marching ove
at Leo. "You need to control yo
ll the other mothers to hear,
s. Kowalski, please watch your tone," she said, her voice low and stead
's level. "Leo. You a
ed his little arms and turned his he
truck first,
h," Deana said, her voice firm. The two of
flames. "See? No discipline. It's what h
o. She took his hand and, ignoring his pro
me was sile
oor, Leo's small voice broke the
t in the eye. "I know, sweetie. But using your han
ore physical, more aggressive than th
eatening to speak to their landlord. Deana listened patiently, apologize
ving his cars across the living room r
wn really the best place for him? He needed more. Better schools, more o
l idea resurfa
rtunities that didn't exist in Havenwood
. It had Mrs. Price. It wa
ied face. She browsed job listings, apartment rentals
ed his arms around her leg
ng his dark curls. "I'm no
es wide and serious. "Cody has a
had been dreadi
lean. She had no answer for him.
ir future pressing down on her. She was completely and utterly al
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