Chapter 2: The Girl Named Ella

“Mom, did you eat today?”

Jeremiah’s voice came from the hallway, soft and careful.

“I had toast,” I lied.

He walked into the kitchen in his socks, tall and thin in his gray hoodie. He looked at the photographs but did not touch them.

“You’re doing this again.”

“I’m just remembering.”

I reached for his hand.

“I’m proud of you, sweetheart. A top university after everything you went through.”

He sat across from me, his eyes landing on one photograph in particular.

Ella.

Dark hair. Shy smile. Quiet face.

“Have you thought more about it?” he asked.

“About what?”

“Ella.”

My hand froze.

A few nights earlier, I had said something foolish. Something desperate. I had said I would do anything to give him one real prom night. Continue Reading ⬇️