"Today, however can change things for better or worse. The outcome depends on you."
When a marriage fails, the residue trickles down to everyone in the family. Sixteen-year-old Daya Nicole Johnston must fight to understand what is happening in her l...
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When I closed the door behind me, I saw my mother standing in front of me. "Is that the boy you were telling me about," my eyes widened.
I blocked the door with my body, "Yeah, that was him."
"I thought you were out with your girls," she spoke causing me to wince.
Awkwardly I responded with, "Oh, oh yeah I was... totally. He showed up while we were there. They wanted me to tell you hi back. Hi!"
"Anyway, you were right about him being a handsome young man. I wish he would have come inside," she pouted.
I chuckled awkwardly. "He seems to really like you," she gushed.
"Mom, don't tell me he's got you too," Denny deadpanned as he walked down the stairs. "Are you ready to go?" He spun the keychain around his forefinger.
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Our mother crossed he arms, "She just got home, Dennis. She may want to sit down for a minute."
I shook my head in defiance, "No, you've waited long enough for me to come home. We can leave now."
My mom grabbed her coat from the rack, "I thought about the most precious place for us to go."
Mom placed a scarf around my neck. "When you two were younger, all of us would go to Daryl's Christmas tree farm and get a new tree every year."
Dennis said, "Daya, you're blocking the door."
I bonked the side of my head, "Duh, we should head out."
"When your father's relationship with his side of the family started to dwindle, the tradition stopped. We've had that boring fake tree for years and I'm ready for a change," Mom divulged.
Waving my arms, I cooed, "I remember they sold hot chocolate out there. With the snow and the lights, it was lit up beautifully."
Dennis was driving, "Where did you go earlier?"
I braided and then unbraided my hair with anxiety in my heart. "We went to the park with my friends and Banks and his little brothers showed up. They loved the muffins."
