We stepped into Chase's house and a little girl who had on a pink dress and her hair was in messy curls, ran up to Chase and hugged his legs. He picked her up and hugged her and ruffled her curls. She looked at me and waved with a smile. She was an outgoing little girl.

"Hi!" She smiled.

"What's your name?" I smiled.

"Bailey," she smiled.

"I'm Hope. How old are you?" I asked.

She looked down at her hand and contemplated for a moment before holding up three fingers. "This many."

"Where's mom and Kevin?" Chase asked his little sister.

"Mommy's in the kitchen and Kevin isn't home," she informed her big brother.

Chase nodded and we went to the kitchen where a woman with dirty blonde hair, pulled into a ponytail was cooking. She heard us come in and she looked at us. A smile spread across her face and she waved. Bailey and her looked a lot alike. Chase had her eyes.

"Hi, I'm Chases mom, Anna," she stuck out her hand.

I took it and shook it. "I'm Hope."

"Yeah, we became friends today. She's also my English tutor," Chase said.

"Oh," Anna laughed. "Well, nice to meet you, Hope."

"Thanks, you too," I smiled.

"Kevin is gonna be late, by the way," Anna told Chase and looked back at me. "You staying for dinner?"

"Oh, um, sure, if you're okay with that," I said surprised.

"Absolutely," she said. "Bailey, go to my bathroom and get a ponytail, so I can put your hair up."

"I can do it," I shrugged.

"Come on!" Bailey pulled my arm and drug me to where her mom's bathroom was.

She's a strong little three year old.

We went into the bathroom and she opened up a drawer and took out a black hair tie and gave it to me. I chuckled and grabbed her hair and put it up in a bun, so her ponytail wouldn't get in her food.

"You're really pretty," she said.

"Thank you, so are you!" I smiled, done with her hair.

"You should come over every day," she said as we walked back to the kitchen.

"I don't think that's up to me," I laughed.

"What?" Chase asked.

"Can we keep her?" Bailey asked Chase.

"We'll see," he laughed and I shook my head.

"Dinner's ready," Anna said and I started helping her set the table. "You don't have to help. You're a guest."

"I don't mind," I reassured and Chase set up Bailey's booster seat so she could reach the table.

We all sat down and started making our plates.

"So, Hope, what's your family like?" Anna asked.

I breathed and poked at my food. "It's kinda complicated."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said.

"No it's okay. I just don't get asked that a lot," I shrugged.

"Well, what do you like to do for fun?" She asked.

"I help people. That's always the best," I chuckled.

"You have siblings?" She asked.

"I have a dog. Ruby," I chuckled.

"Aw, that's nice," Anna smiled.

"Can we have a puppy, Mommy?" Bailey asked.

"Let's get settled first and we'll talk about it," Anna said.

"Okay, but I really, really, really want a puppy," Bailey said.

We laughed at her and Anna turned back to me. "Is it okay if I ask how close you are with your parents?"

I swallowed and looked down. "My mom and I... I don't have many memories of her. My dad and I were really close. And my step mom and I were too, but... Like I said, it's complicated."

"Mom," Chase said sternly. "Bailey's here. It's not the kind of discussion to have around her."

"I'm a big girl!" Bailey reprimanded.

"Yes you are," Chase poked her bun as she ate.

"What're your plans for after high school?" Anna asked me.

"I'm not sure yet," I shrugged.

"You don't have to know right now," she said reassuringly.

We continued to make small talk until dinner was over and Bailey had to go take a shower. Anna, Chase, and I were in the living room at this point and Anna looked at me.

"Your mom's dead, isn't she?" Anna moreso said than asked.

I nodded. "Car crash when I was six."

"And your dad and stepmom?" She asked.

"My stepmom claimed self defense in killing my dad two years ago. She's in jail now. She's up for parole in fifteen years," I said.

"Oh, wow, I'm really sorry—"

I shook my head. "It wasn't you."

"How've you been taking care of yourself the last two years?" She asked.

I shrugged. "The best way I can, I guess. My neighbor helps a lot."

"Good, I'm glad you're not alone," she said.

"Thanks," I breathed and in walked a man who was wearing coveralls. He looked exhausted.

"Kevin, hi," Anna stood and hugged him.

"Hey, babe. Who's this?" He looked at me.

"I'm Hope," I waved.

"Nice to meet you. I'd shake your hand, but I stink, so I'm gonna take a shower," he said.

"Okay, well, your plate is in the microwave when you're done," she told him as he walked off.

"I should probably go," I stood.

"Well you're welcome back anytime," Anna said.

Chase stood and led me out as I waved goodbye and we got in his truck. We buckled our seatbelts and he exhaled sharply, like he hadn't been breathing at all. He started the truck and backed out and I wasn't sure what was wrong.

"You okay?" I asked.

"I'm sorry about my mom. She had no right to—"

"They were standard questions, Chase. She's fine. I'm fine," I said.

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving the road.

"Your mom and Kevin and Bailey are so sweet. Don't get mad at your mom for caring. Just be glad that she does," I said.

"Yeah, I know. But she made you uncomfortable—"

"No she didn't," I laughed. "I just don't talk about my family often."

I told him that my neighborhood was on the left, so he turned and I directed him to my house. He pulled into the driveway and Amy was sitting on the front porch for me.

"That's your neighbor?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll see you in school."

"Okay, night," he said.

"Night," I said getting out and walking up to Amy.

He drove away as she hugged me. "How was it?"

"Good. How are you?" I asked.

"Tired. Ruby has been let out and everything," Amy said.

"Thank you," I said.

"It's no trouble," she said. "I'm tired though. Let's go get some sleep."

I nodded and we ended up crashing on the couch while watching a movie.