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

Candice is still a little out of it or in shock, I'm not sure which, when we get to her place. We climb the stairs to her apartment in total silence. I don't even ask if I can come in because she doesn't have a choice, I'm staying with her. God knows what she might do if I leave. What if she goes back to that crazy house? What if she tries to kill herself again? The thought makes me almost nauseated. 


I keep a close eye on her as she blindly walks over to the answering machine, like it's always the first thing she does, and hits the flashing red button. She bristles at the sound of the voice.


"Candice? This is Mrs. Stephens, the counselor at Parkview High. Um, honey, I have some bad news. Your mother has been in a car accident and is at Alliance Memorial Hospital. I'm already here and hope you get this soon."


Candice looks like she's just been punched in the gut. I reach out to offer a hug or whatever someone does when they get this kind of news. 


Chapter 42