Chapter 42

• I slept peacefully that night and for once I woke up on my own without coercion from the twins. I felt light, better than I had ever felt before, well enough to go to school. Sleeping in Ash’s arms brought back memories and feelings of the fairytale times we spent together. They didn’t hurt like they used to when I pined and cried for him, instead they spread warmth inside me that if the twins felt like kicking up a storm I wouldn’t feel it.
• I still had my art stuff and I needed to take them back to Jonah. I didn’t have permission to keep them for this long. I walked to my car, drinking up the warm sun and the cool air. The trees looked beautiful as they swayed majestically to the wind. Everything seemed different in a wonderful way. I didn’t bother to pass through the kitchen because I didn’t want anyone to burst my happy bubble. Everyone was still on edge, and I didn’t want Joe’s concern over my health to dampen my spirits.
• Discussing the events of the previous day wasn’t how I planned on spending my morning. I knew my sisters and my dad would still be upset with Billy. I knew they were just trying to protect me, but all it was doing was causing more friction in the house. Bringing up the past wasn’t going to rid us of our present and future problems.