❝ –– perhaps it’s true that things can change in a day. and when they do, those few dozen hours, like the salvaged remains of a burned house—the charred clock, the singed photograph, the scorched furniture—must be resurrected from the ruins and examined. and suddenly, they become the bleached bones of a story.
“She may not hate me, but it’s going to be pretty damn close, Teddy.” God, how could she have been so stupid? To go down the path that she once swore would never happen? The high that she got from the Coke seemed to make her forget the promise she had made all those years ago.“I saw the look in her eyes once Teddy, and it killed me… I don’t think I can see that look again…” The brunette was scared of seeing what she had done to her mother, wanting to keep her distance for as long as possible. She wasn’t ready to pay that price, didn’t think she’d ever be ready to tell you the truth. “People counting on me was what started all of this… It all became too much and I needed an escape…”
“It’s not hate you’re seeing there, Carter,” Teddy said quietly. “It’s love. You’d be surprised how often people mix the two up. She’s your mother, kid — you’re lucky to have her, and I’m telling you now that she’s just as lucky to have you. There hasn’t been a day gone by where I haven’t been grateful for my daughter, and I’m sure Amelia feels the exact same way about you.”
Behind all of the bravado and stubbornness, Teddy could still make out the fear. And despite the years that had made up the worst part of Carter’s life, no one could deny the abounding youth in the girl’s eyes — so much potential, so close to wasted. And it was at times like these when Teddy wanted to wish away all the pain in the world.
