Leslie began her writing career as a stay-at-home-mom. Her life-long love for reading lead to reviewing books for Goodreads, Amazon and Jillian Dodd's Author Blog. Leslie is also the cofounder of The Indie Bookshelf, which hosts yearly author signings, primarily in the Dallas/FT Worth area.

When she is not writing, you will find her lunching with friends, sipping a cup of joe, binging on Netflix or working on a home DIY project.

Leslie lives in Texas with her husband, teenage son and daughter, and two very silly pugs. 

He knew me from the moment I stepped through the broken window.

Studying me.

Watching me.

Changing me.

I was unaware of him at first; my life was too out of control to notice. The constant moving and lack of money after Mom divorced Dad was turning her into a different person. All she did was drink and she was now this angry person I didn't want to know.

But once I stepped through the window inside that house, I could feel the peace surrounding me. Hugging my body as if it had arms. Protecting me. Loving me. It was like the house knew what I craved and it felt too good to question any of it. So I went back, day after day. I hungrily guzzled up the euphoria like a raging alcoholic, reaching for another drink.

Just like my mother…

Atticus

"Why do you want to know?" I ask, somehow dreading his answer.


"I can make her go away. Would you like that?" His lips curl into a smile as if he expects this to make me happy.


"Wait...what? Make her go away? What are you talking about?"


"Would you like her out of your life?" 


"Uh, no." I can hear my disbelief before it leaves my mouth. 


"I do not understand. She has been hurting you for a long time. I think she should pay for her actions."


"She's messed up but that doesn't mean I want her gone."


"Why not? Do you think she will suddenly stop drinking and get her life in order?"


This is insane. He can't play with people's lives like this. I need to do something, anything to wake up from this nightmare!


"Well, no. But, I'll be graduating soon and getting my own pla-" 


"Your place is here. With me," he says, fading out of sight.


Chapter 40: Insanity