Richard

“No, it’s fine, Maya. You don’t have to if it makes you feel uncomfortable,” I protest. I didn’t tell her about Stephanie so she would feel pressured into telling me about Sky’s dad.

“I want to. I just want you to know that I get it. I understand what you’re going through,” she says softly.

I glance at her, taking in the serious expression on her face then I nod once.

“Remember I told you my dad died when I was 18?” she asks.

“Yeah.”

“After that, everything in my life just became numb or should I say I numbed everything. I was done with caring about my mom or my dead father. I thought since I was 18 I could do anything I wanted with my life. It was especially hard because my best friend at the time went on to college without me. I couldn’t afford college…