Chapter 14 - One Year Later
The Portland sun was shining brightly as I carried a small pink cake out to the backyard.
It was Maya’s first birthday.
The yard was decorated with balloons, and a few close friends from my new clinic were sitting at the patio table.
Aunt Linda had driven down from Seattle to celebrate with us.
Maya was sitting in her high chair, covered in cake frosting, laughing uncontrollably.
I felt a surge of love so powerful it brought tears to my eyes.
“She is absolutely perfect, Sarah,” Aunt Linda smiled, handing me a napkin.
“You have done such an amazing job.”
“Thank you,” I said, wiping a tear away.
Later that evening, after Maya was asleep, Aunt Linda and I sat on the porch with a glass of wine.
“Do you ever hear anything about them?” I asked quietly, staring out at the peaceful street.
Aunt Linda sighed.
“Brenda is living in a tiny studio apartment on the bad side of town.”
“Jessica had to move in with her after she got evicted from her own place.”
“They are miserable, and they fight constantly.”
“They blame everyone but themselves.”
May you like
I nodded slowly, feeling no joy, but also no pity.
They had built their own prison, and now they had to live in it.
