She craved everything that Joleen had: a nice, normal house with a nice, normal, loving set of parents and loving siblings. She was also envious of ho... happy and outgoing and confident Joleen was, which she could never muster from herself. Her home life left her feeling dirty and ashamed, and she didnt dare try to make any other friends, fearful that someone might discover what actually went on in her life everyday after school. Joleen was a perfect best friend, because whenever she asked to go. If you haven’t a clue where and whence then you have not been keeping up on the past chapters (which I thought, I may add, that I had reposted earlier in the week, for shame).The day (never mind how unproductive) complete, I found myself walking through the side door into the kitchen.With a quick toss, I sent my keys sliding down the counter top and into the sink. I dropped my bag o’ books on one of the three extra kitchen chairs and grabbed a can of soda from the fridge. As I went into the. I knelt down in front of her; this caused her to tense up again.“It’s ok,” I whispered, “We’ll take things slow.” She smiled weakly and nodded at me.I picked up one of her feet and pressed my thumbs into the ball of it, massaging it.“Ooo that feels nice...” she said.Jess sat down next to Emma and put her arm around her. “He does good work and has GREAT hands. Lay back and enjoy it.”Emma nodded to Jess and closed her eyes, pushing back into the soft cushions of the couch.I rolled her foot. Can I ask why you made it and wanted to share it with me.” Mom and Michelle said you seemed to be a nice man and I am ready.Richelle are you asking me to help you become a complete woman? “YES!”Richelle is it ok with you if we all talk about this? I would like to hear from your mom specifically. And if you do not mind your sister Michelle sharing her thoughts. Mike, I want us all to be family. You are “po”, dad now to me. And I want all of us to love each other and support each other.Michelle.