I could steal you blind while you're gone." From what I've seen of you, I'd bet that you'd rather take a beating than to tell a lie or steal from a fr...end. I believe everything you've told me. You trusted me enough to come to my apartment. I should be able to trust you enough to let you stay in my apartment while I'm gone." Let me think about it, Ed. It would certainly be better than sleeping on the street." Think about it all you want. If you decide to stay, we'll get you set up for a program. ” I replied.“Anything really bad?”“I think it’s the usual story. Drinks too much, gets a little too violent, didn’t actually want to have me, separated from mom.”“Didn’t want to have you?” she picked that one out of my tangent.“Yup.” I nodded. By this time both of us were sitting side-by-side on her bed, naked in more ways than one. “I was a, uh, an accident. They were drunk at a party or something.”“Really?” Holly mused. “How old?”“Mom couldn’t have been older than twenty-two. Dad was. "No reading books when were decorating, I want us all to do it as a family again, like when your dad was here." I suppressed the groan that was building inside me at the mention of my dad. It had been four years since he had died, I was only fourteen and took it hard, but Matthew went completely crazy. He and dad were so close, It destroyed a part of him. Stressful holiday shopping over, mom and I returned home with our many bags. We'd practically bought the entire store. I was put to work. ......................................................................................................................................................................... "Honey, can you take out the trash? I asked you to do this 2 and a half hours ago!" Ugh. The life I live. The name's Raymond, but you can call me Ray. I'm 26, and the woman you just heard whining about the trash is Hana, my girlfriend of 7 years, and recently turned fiance. She's 25, and we met in college. Well, she was in.