He Smirked, Called Me “The Family’s IT Girl,”

She said, “Come back this time.”

This time.

Not “be careful.” Not “what aren’t you telling me.” Just that. She’d known enough for years to know absence has shapes.

I touched her fingers once and kept moving.

Billy jogged after me. “Cousin. Ma’am. Whatever. Let me go.”

I should’ve said no.

I almost did.

Then I looked at him. Uniform still crisp. Eyes steady.continue reading …