”“I’ve decided to close the house. I was thinking we could spend a month or so in Jamaica before moving on.”“Bren, it’s only been a few we...ks. Give her a chance. You’re asking a lot from her.”“Is Henry still working? We’ll need new IDs.”“We have three sets on the pike. We don’t need to bother Henry.”“Would you prefer Switzerland or Tennessee?”Amy laughed. “The Alps at my age? Have you lost your mind? You know, I can’t stand the cold anymore.”“Tennessee it is.”“Bren, give her another month and. She quickly set down the groceries in her arms and scooped up the little dog, shushing it as she carried it into her bedroom. He walked to her kitchen and put the groceries on the counter. She came out of her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Everything was clean and tidy but she kept murmuring about what a mess it was. Then she put out her hand. ‘Hi, I’m Sarah, by the way.’ ‘John,’ he returned, shaking her hand and thinking she was prettier up close. She had on some lip gloss and just a. Let's get these down, too. Now, before we go any further, let me grab my phone. Not only do I want to savor this memory for later, I have something else sinister in mind."I heard rustling around as she rummaged through her purse. I heard a throat clearing of gentle objection, followed by a laugh, and finally followed by the shutter noise of the camera in her phone. A second later, the screen of the laptop jumped as a picture message arrived—a very fit, 25 year old man was sitting in my chair. I worked hard and put myself through cosmetology school. I really wanted to become a hairdresser. I stayed in touch with my brother, but not my stepdad or Momma. I had grown bitter with Momma for letting him abuse me. She ended up being diagnosed with progressive cancer shortly after I started working as a hairdresser. And of course, her asshole husband abandoned her. It was then that I reconnected with her and moved her into my apartment, so I could care for her. It was a time for forgiveness.