Jen, We Did It. Everyone's Free Now.

Unlike My Mother, My Father Does Not Cry Quietly. His Wails Roll Out Like A Wave Of Pain, And I Scramble To Roll Up My Window. My Mother Cannot Hear That. I Cannot Bear To Hear It Myself. I Am Not Used To My Father's Crying. I've Had No Time To Harden My Heart Against Him.

Oh, Myr," He Chokes Out. "i Hate Having To Ask This Of You..." He Glances Towards The Car Again, And I Crouch Down In The Shadows, Hoping It's Too Dark For Him To See Whether The Window Is Open Or Closed. The Woman Pats His Arm, Cradling Her Hand Against His Elbow. "you Know I'd Do Anything For You And Hil," She Says. I Like Her Voice. It's Throaty And Rich. "you'd Do Anything?" My Father Repeats Numbly. "even Now? After -?" "even Now," The Woman Says Firmly.

Jen, We Did It. Everyone's Free Now.

I Rise Up On My Tiptoes. He's Already Bending His Head Down, Moving His Lips Toward Mine. And Then, Well, I Haven't Exactly Studied This, But I'm Pretty Sure That Ours Is Not The Most Expert Kiss In Sualan History. It's A Little Hard To Figure Out How We Should Tilt Our Heads So Our Noses Don't Bump. But This Kiss Is A Promise, A Vow. Come To Think Of It, It Doesn't Really Matter That Ours Is Not The Most Expert Kiss In Sualan History. It's Still The Best.

There's Hope Around The Corner.