The Light Between Us

<p>Unlucky me. That's what I've believed ever since I lost my mom at age thirteen. From then on my life has spiraled. My two siblings however have managed to pick themselves up from the ruins and carry on-but I could never seem to do that. While my brother and sister inherited all my mom's creative loving and charismatic genes I didn't get any of that. Just my dad's bitterness. I know I've let everyone down including myself but I have gotten really good at running from my problems.</p><p></p><p>That's why I never thought I would come crawling back to Portland Maine again-let alone as a pregnant broke college dropout. By leaving California I'm walking away from the life I built for myself-though it was never on a solid foundation to begin with-to escape a terrible relationship . . . only to be sleeping in my childhood bedroom without a plan for my future. Now at rock bottom I'm forced to face the mistakes I've made the relationships I've abandoned and the people I've hurt.</p><p></p><p>Slowly-begrudgingly-I'm learning that I don't have to do it alone. Even when I'm at this new low in my life in walks the sweetest man to ever exist: Harvey Brindle. Through all the chaos unknowns and milestones Harvey sticks by me when he could easily discard me like every other man I know.</p><p></p><p>But I have sworn off love-and men in general. Harvey is just a friend. A best friend. Our talks over steaming mugs of tea soothe the broken parts of me. And the way he helped me assemble a stroller with his brilliant smile and gentle words of encouragement . . . he's the first person to truly <em>see</em> me. As much as I could see myself falling for Harvey (and I have imagined it many times) it's simply not happening. Who could possibly love a damaged self-destructive woman pregnant with another man's child? </p><p></p>