I'd look on the bright side, if I could find it. (Eeyore)

I ripped open another letter from my mother with excitement but let it the white sheet drift effortlessly to the countertop a moment later. I sighed, which was Rider’s cue to ask what was wrong.

“My mother.”

He laughed. “Care to elaborate?”

“I think she’s actually going to stay in Philadelphia when she gets out. She would rather be there alone just to be close to my father, rather than come here and be with me. That’s messed up.”

“Are you going to go back?”

I was dumbfounded. “You want me to leave?”

“No! No, I just didn’t know if that’s what she was getting at.”

“Maybe, actually, yeah I think she expects me to move back there once she gets out. I don’t even think its safe there yet. Besides I thought we were supposed to be moving here anyway. I hate the way she worships my father. I’m her daughter!”

“So she should worship you?” he teased.

“Screw you.”

“You won’t be saying that when I share my news with you.” He got up from the table and paced slowly toward the opposite side of the counter.