off his glasses. “Yep. I can’t keep my eyes open.”
Darlene was wide awake, but as Brad clicked his lamp off and rolled onto his side, she knew he was exhausted. She turned the knob on her light too and snuggled into the covers as she waited for his arm to drape across her.
She said her prayers the same way every night, checking off a list, never changing the order, and knowing that it was almost obsessive-compulsive. First she’d run through all the things she was thankful for, then she’d ask forgiveness for her sins—stating specifically the offenses she felt she’d carried with her the longest. That was followed by requests for her children’s health and happiness, and she always asked God to continue to bless her marriage. At the end were all the extra prayers, for people she’d met, certain situations, or if one of the kids needed extra time dedicated to them. But all was well in her family this evening, so as she drew to a close, she felt a strong urge to pray for Layla. She kept it simple, unsure exactly what to pray for.
Lord, please bless my new friend, Layla. Darlene paused, wondering if she and Layla were really going to be friends. I know that sometimes You put people in our lives for a reason, and I’m sensing a purpose. I pray that You’ll guide my steps toward a friendship with Layla and all that I do in Your name. Amen.
She pulled Brad’s arm tighter around her, closed her eyes, and basked in the peacefulness she felt. Things had been rough in Houston. Chad hadn’t been making good choices, Ansley had been failing her classes, and Grace had been all distraught over a boy. This move was exactly what they all needed.
“Who do you love?” she whispered in the darkness.
“You, baby.”
Grace climbed into bed later than usual. She’d stayed up and watched a movie downstairs, despite her mother’s constant push to go to bed. She’d been having a hard time getting to sleep since they’d moved.
The glow of her bedside lamp lightly illuminated her room in the old farmhouse. It was nothing like the bedroom she used to have before they moved to the middle of nowhere.
Once she was tucked beneath her pink comforter, she reached into the drawer of her nightstand and pulled out her trinket box. She loved the lavender sachet she kept inside of it, right next to the necklace Tristan had given her for her fifteenth birthday. She didn’t wear the heart-shaped pendant anymore. Except to bed.
She lifted the sachet to her nose and breathed in the floral scent, then fastened the tiny clasp of the pendant around her neck. She closed her eyes, anguish swimming through her veins. There was only one way she was going to get any relief. She stared at the shiny objects lying in the box.
She just wanted to feel better.
The next morning, she grimaced when she looked down at her sheets. She had to be more careful. She blotted the blood spots with cold water, stripped the sheets from her bed, then hurried to the laundry room downstairs. She stuffed the sheets into the washer, added detergent, and twisted the knob to On.
“I know why you keep washing your sheets.”
Grace spun around at the sound of her mother’s voice. Her heart raced. Mom walked closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Honey, I don’t mind washing your sheets. I know what’s happening.”
Grace was sure her mother could see her heart beating through her chest. “You do?” She stared at the floor, but Mom lifted her chin.
“Yes. It’s happened to all women at some time. I promise. We’ve all had accidents during our time of the month. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I don’t want you feeling like you have to hide that from me.”
Relief washed over her like water putting out a fire. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Breakfast is ready. Go eat, and I’ll get these in the dryer and back on your bed before you get home from school.”
Grace nodded and walked to the kitchen for breakfast.
Her mom came in a minute or two later. “Your dad left earlier than usual this morning. He said to tell you all to have a good day and to have fun tonight at the youth group gathering.”
Chad stood up as he shoved another biscuit in his mouth. “Hurry up, let’s go,” he said with a mouthful.
“Let your sisters eat, Chad. You’ve got plenty of time.”
“I’ll be in the truck.”