I know I haven't updated in a while. Here are some chapters to hold you over. :) Some of this chapter was a tad bit inspired by Toni Morrison's "Beloved". Hope you like it.

"You're not freezing yet, old man?" Abbie walked up to Corbin's dessert cart.

The repairs for his shop weren't quite finished yet, so he sold cookies, cupcakes, and hot chocolate in the park for an hour during the week and on the weekends. She stopped by after her self-defense class.

"Just about. My time's almost up." He handed her a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate. "How you doing, kid?"

"I'm hanging in."

In the last couple of weeks, she tried not to feel so lonely and tired. May and Stella continued to haunt her. Jenny still refused to talk to her. She didn't speak to Crane anymore. When she tried to visit Mrs. Ann, she was either on an errand or tending to last minute emergencies at the hospital where she worked. She didn't really have anyone to talk to.

He patted her shoulder. A small line started to form, so Abbie thanked him for the cocoa and treat and excused herself. She found a bench and took out Romeo and Juliet. Of course, it was cold; she was sure to wear Crane's scarf. Children and adults ice skated on the small lake in the middle of the park. Snowballs flew. Couples built forts and walked their dogs. The squeals, laughter, and small chatter that tickled her ears faded as the words from the book distracted her. Her reading didn't last long because someone called her name.

She glanced up to see Eric, holding hands with a woman. A white woman with brown hair. She tried not to stare too long.

"Hey," she said. "Funny meeting you here. How are you?"

"I've been well. Grad school is almost over. I'm pretty relieved about that."

"I can imagine. Accounting, right?"

He nodded.

"And this is…?"

He blushed. "Abbie, this is Sarah. We have courses together. Sarah, this is Abbie. She helps at the shop sometimes."

"It's nice to meet you." Sarah smiled and stuck out her hand.

Abbie shook it. "It's nice to meet you, too."

"I'm freezing out here and could use some hot chocolate. I'll let you two catch up."

"I'll have one, too." He gave her a five dollar bill. "Help yourself."

She kissed his lips. "Okay. Be back."

When she walked off, he sat on the bench beside her. Their open affection surprised her. How did they do it?

"You're visiting Corbin, too?" he said.

"Yeah. I wanted to check on him. Sarah seems nice."

She was curious about their relationship, but she didn't want to pry into his personal life.

"She's great. We've been dating for a month. We began as friends at the start of the term this year."

"What's it like?"

Did they receive unkind stares and gasps as they walked down the street in their boldness? Were they threatened from strangers, classmates, and teachers? What did their parents think?

He stared at his hands. "It's not easy. People have said things, done things even. It takes courage."

Abbie saw May, her lover, and the baby beneath their feet. They loved each other, but they suffered. Their families suffered. She didn't understand why Eric ignored the consequences.

"It's so risky."

"I love her. What more can I say?"

"Will you two survive?"

He eyed her book. "A classic, isn't it?"

"It is. They died. What's your point?"

"They loved each other in the flesh and in death. Love is persistent. You endure because of it."

"You sound like my Mama."

"Your Mama sounds wise."

"She was."

Eric stood as Sarah approached them with two cups of hot cocoa.

"Thanks, sweetheart." He kissed her cheek.

"You two stay warm out here. It was a pleasure meeting you, Sarah."

"Thank you, Abbie," she said. "You as well."

"We're going to go for a stroll. Enjoy the rest of your day," he said.

"I will. Same to you."

She observed them from behind her book. They squeezed hands and smooched cheeks, laughed and whispered in the other's ear. She watched the people around them. A woman glared while a couple gawked and hurried away. And she didn't even see the worst of it today. They stood in the face of disapproval. She wondered where she'd find her own courage, her spine.

Though Jenny snored beside her, Abbie wouldn't go to sleep. Not until she saw May and Stella standing beside her. They did that now: visited her, smiled even. She believed they found a little peace on the other side. Their family sure as hell hadn't as far as she knew. Her company never stayed long, only for a minute. After that, she slept. And then opened her eyes every so often to see if they'd reappear. They never did. Her own parents didn't haunt her like this. She doesn't know why they visit. When she saw them, she wasn't afraid. Just sad and angry. Sometimes, she cried herself to sleep. Other times, she frequently woke up during the night.

Of course, she didn't tell Jenny. For sure, her sister would believe she lost it. Abbie kind of felt that way. There weren't many people she could talk to about this, except for Mrs. Ann. She was so swamped with work that Abbie decided not to bother her unless it got too much.

Besides her friendly ghosts—that's what she jokingly calls them—Jenny's damn attitude didn't help her wake up on the right side of the bed either. The most they've said to each other was good morning and good night. When Jenny was mad, she was mad. For weeks sometimes. Abbie was just about sick of it. Soon enough, she'd confront her. Ask her what her problem was when her and Crane weren't even friends. At least not yet.

She thought about Eric and Sarah on the way home, how the word "courage" flinched in her chest like tousled wisps of grass from the wind. Is that what they felt before they died? Courage? She wanted to be friends with Crane, but she didn't know where her own bravery was. When May and Stella emerged, she swore their voices whispered to her: Where was her spine?

Abbie stood outside the library with Crane yet again. He smiled at her, wished her a good evening, and didn't say more like she wanted him to, like she wanted herself to. She wanted to know him, his kindness.

"There's an abandoned school room in my neighborhood. On 24th Street."

His mouth opened; he tried to find his wording. "Abbie, you do not—"

"I want to."

"If you are positive."

She felt her spine growing. "Meet me there."