"Why did you do that?" I asked shocked.

"I...I...I love you Patience."

"I love you too."

"But I love you more than a brother."

"You love, love me?"

"Yea, from the moment I saw you"

"Why wait so long to tell me?"

"I was too scared you would hate me"

"So why now?"

"Because Matt made me realize that if I didn't tell you, it would have eaten me up inside until there is nothing left."

I sat there looking at him in silence.

"Patience, please say something. Your scaring me."

I leaned in and kissed him. He kissed back with more passion. We started making out. I didn't know what I was doing? Do I love him more than a brother? Or am I just caught up in the moment? We broke apart when we heard Gil say he was home. We stood up and fixed ourselves. He walked to me and caressed my cheek.

"We'll talk more about this later" He said as he kissed me one more time.

We walked out and into the living room.

"Patience, come here for a SEC sweetie." Gil said.

"Okay"I said as I sat down.

"I went to the adoption place. I had a long fight with them. It turns out I can't adopt you because your father would have to sign it, but since we don't know who your father is. They said you wouldn't have to go into foster care and that you can still live with me if that is what you want"

"So I can still live here and be with y'all?"

"Yes, of course" Gil said with a smile.

"Thank you" I said as I hugged Gil.

"Your welcome sweetie"

I ran up to Matt and tackled him down and hugged him. He started laughing.

"What about me?" Jeff asked

"What about you?" I asked with a smile.

"Oh that's it" Jeff said as he pulled me up.

He threw me over his shoulder and started walking toward the front door.

"Where ya taking me?" I asked

"To McDonald's to get some food." Jeff said

"Okay, bye all" I said

We got into the car and drove off. Meanwhile...

"So dad, who is taking care of the funeral arrangements?" Matt asked

"Patience's uncle is. Apparently it is going to be on Friday."

"So when are we going to go get all her stuff and bring it here?"

"Saturday, I think"

"Oh okay"

"So did anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

"We tried to get Patience to eat, but when we got close to the kitchen she just snapped. She started screaming and crying. She ran into the woods, but we caught her and calmed her down."

"That poor girl has been through so much. Seeing her Mom dead in the kitchen. I know she wants to stay strong, but she can't do it all the time"

"Also, did you know she has a job?"

"What?"

"A co-worker of her's came by and said she could have as much time as she wants off. She said she wants to go to work Saturday."

"This is all new to me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ McDonald's ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat in our booth waiting for Jeff to come with our orders. He said he wanted to pick out my food for me because it was going to be a surprise. He came back and put down our tray as he sat across from me. I looked at the tray. It was 2 happy meals. I started laughing.

"What?" Jeff asked with a smile

"Happy meals? Don't you think we are a little too old for happy meals?"

"No way. You are never too old, plus I like the toy." He said

We started eating it when he placed his hand on mine. I look up into his eyes. We smiled at eachother.

"I do love you Patience"

Tears came to my eyes. Everything is all hitting me at once. Mom's death, moving in with the Hardy's, my best friend/brother in love with me. A girl can only take so much. Maybe its not that. Maybe its because I love him. Love him like he loves me. Who knows?

I love you too." I smiled.

"Patience, I know we have been like brother and sister and now you know I love you and you love me things will change, but not for the worse, but for the better."

"I hope so because I don't think I could take anymore bad news."

"I will be their for you in everything you do because I love you more than myself and more than anyone. I would do anything for you"

I smiled as we continued to eat.

~~~~~The next day---Friday~~~~~~

It was the day of my mom's funeral. As I look in the mirror, putting on my black dress, I think about how lonely I am for my Mom. I miss her so much. Why did she leave? Why did she kill herself? I put on my black shoes and do my hair and make up in silence. I walked to Jeff's window and looked out. I looked to the sky as tears came flowing down my face. I am not ready to face it. I'm not ready to face her death. Its too much for me to deal with at this age. Suddenly, 2 arms wrap around my waist. I turn and saw Jeff. He saw my distress and pulled me into a tight hug. I cried hard into his chest.

"Oh Babygurl. It breaks my heart to see you like this"

"I don't wanna face that coffin Jeff. I don't know if I can do it." I cried

"If you don't go, you won't have closure and I will be there with you the whole time."

"Promise?"

"I promise you with everything in my heart" He said wiping off my tears.

My lip was quivering and he bent down to kiss it.

"It's time to go"

I nodded and we walked into the living room where Matt and Gil awaited. Gil walked up and hugged me and so did Matt. We all walked to the car and headed to the church. I was greeted by family members and friends also complete strangers. We walked into the church and sat down. The sermon started and I just starred at the coffin. My body was trembling and tears running down my face. Matt and Jeff sat on each side of me, holding me. Usually that would calm me down, but it didn't. I didn't realize this, but the sermon was over and Jeff and Matt brought me back into reality. The Paul bearers carried the casket down the isle, with us following behind it. As soon as we got outside, I did the only thing I am good at. That is running. I ran like there was no tomorrow. Jeff and Matt started running after me, but I was faster. I didn't know where my legs were taking me, but I had to get away. I ran into some sort of woods and lost Matt and Jeff. Good now I can be alone. My legs to me to some place I didn't wanna be. My house that I shared with my Mom. I walked up the steps and found the key under the mat. I opened the door and walked in. Everything hit me all at once. The smell of it, the look, just everything. I walked up the stair and into my room. It was the same as it looked that day. I saw something white sitting on my dresser. It was an envelope with my mom's handwriting on it. It said Patience. I walk to the dresser and take the envelope. I slowly open it and read it.

Dear Patience:

This is one of the hardest letters I have ever written. As you probably know, I am dead. I took pills and committed suicide. You probably have a lot of questions you want answered. Why did I do this? Well, baby...that question can be answered by telling you a story. I knew your father because we were in the same class together. I always looked at him because he was the hottest guy in our school. He thought he would take advantage of that by placing a bet with his friends that he could get me in the sack on our first date. So he asked me out and took me to Couple Cliff. He tried to kiss me and I wouldn't let him. I told him he was moving to fast. He got mad and he jumped on top of me. I screamed and pushed him off me. I got out of the car and ran. He started chasing me. After tackling me on the ground, he raped me. After he finished, I told him I was going to tell the police and he took out a gun and said not if I am dead. I used all my strength to wrestle him to get his gun away. The gun went off and the next thing I knew, he was dead. I went into his car and got his cell. I called the police. About 3 weeks later I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to get an abortion because of what happened, but I then changed my mind at the last minute and kept you. I am happy I did. You turned out to be a beautiful girl. I am so proud of you baby. I took the pills because the pain won't go away. I look into your eyes and I see him. I wish to God I didn't, but I do. I can't go on living like this. I want you to know that no matter what, this isn't your fault at all. Its my fault and its his. I want you to stay with the Hardy's. They love you and you love them. You can be more happier there than you would be with me. I love you baby and I always will. I will be watching over you in heaven.

Love,

Mom.

I stood up and walked to the kitchen. I laid down where my mother had been. I laid there and cried my heart out shouting.

"Mom! Mommy! I love you"

"Patience!" I heard someone yell.