framed family photograph, and the old cedar box I had kept hidden behind my winter blankets for years.
Twenty-five minutes later, I carried everything down the main staircase.
Chloe laughed mockingly from the couch.
“Wow, look at that, she’s actually doing it.”
Dad sat alone on the dark front porch.
As I passed him, he finally spoke.
“Paige, please don’t make this so dramatic.”
“I’m not making a scene,” I replied softly.
I loaded my luggage into the trunk and drove away into the cool evening air.
Nobody followed my
