Abandoned But Unbroken: No More Begging For A Place

in thought, and noticed a black sedan parked

eclan's mother,

nds to her tired face, gathered herself, and tried t

lipping through a photo album. When Clara entered,

ad never been warm toward her. The chan

ched. Seeing the album in Sonya's lap, she q

te lately?" she asked. The album slid across the coffee table, with pages filled with photos and introductions of vario

nd of you, Mrs. Curtis. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Right now, though

teps echoed from the entrance. Turning her he

house at this hour after her awkw

d already be asleep. He seemed determined to avoid crossing paths with her i

t as quickly as it came. She gave Declan a gen

n she saw her son. She called him

n think about dating. Declan, are you working her too hard? Has s

other. "Mom, how could I possibly do that? I know dating

hat's exactly what I wanted to hear. Go ahead and help

n mild annoyance. Clicking his tongue, he said, "Dati

She's at the right age to get married. Declan, are you just unwilling to se

ashed through Declan's mind, and a strange irritat

random photo in the album. His voice came out clipped. "This on

ead in disbelief,

wanted to send her off

nce. "Perfect, I'll set up a

ly retorted, "Mrs. Curtis, I already hav

answer. "What plans could you possibly have? I'll give you t

p, unable to hide the bitte

done. You've spoiled Clara so much that she refuses to listen to me. Young people ought to res

ked up, hoping to speak for herself

ul jolt as sorrow thre