CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
(part six)
Tuesday afternoon — 1:40 P.M.
“Aden! There you are,” Sandy said. Sandy leaned back against the couch in her living room. Tanesha and Heather looked up. “I’ve been calling all over for you.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Aden said. “I’m used to you working all the time. I forgot to check in.”
“Did you pick out a dog?”
“Yeah,” [...]

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CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
(part five)
Tuesday – 12:35 P.M.
“What do you think?” Valerie asked Delphie.
“It’s too early for me to make a connection with them. That’s all right. Right now you have to focus on making really healthy vessels for their souls.”
“Oh.” Valerie was crestfallen.
“Your mother is thrilled,” Delphie said. “We’re going to have a house full of [...]

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CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
(part four)
Tuesday – 12:10 P.M
Aden walked past row after row of dogs and cats. Overwhelmed by the sheer number of pets up for adoptions, he blew out a breath.
“Overwhelming, isn’t it?” the Dumb Friend’s League attendant asked.
“Very,” Aden said. “I don’t know how to choose.”
“Well, the best place to start is with the pets [...]

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CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
(part three)
Tuesday – 11:40 P.M.
“Sandy! It’s great to see you!” Sandy’s gynecologist said as she entered the room. “How did Christmas go for you this year?”
“A little crazier than usual.” Sandy stood to hug her doctor. “Since doing Valerie Lipson’s hair, everyone wanted her ‘look’. I was swamped. How was your party?”
“Thanks to you, [...]

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CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
(part two)
The next day
Tuesday  – 11:15 A.M.

“Thanks for bringing the kids,” Teri, the special advocate said to Aden. “I know it’s hard to have them miss school. This was the only time Nuala was available.”
“Yes, I’m sure she has a full schedule.” Aden couldn’t keep the bitter sarcasm from his voice. “Incarceration is [...]

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CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
(part one)
“How was he injured?” Mike asked.
“He was injured in the middle of committing an unspeakable act of cruelty.”
“That doesn’t really answer the question,” Mike said. “What…?”
“I shot him,” Jill said.
Jill collapsed into herself as Candy, Megan, Steve and Mike began talking all at once. Candy jumped from her seat to hug Jill.
“We [...]

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