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keep him
from going back to Hensteeth, but he'll be fending for himself, ma'am."
    She nodded. "I see. I know he's blood and
all, but blood is no reason for sympathy."
    I nodded and tried to swallow my nerves. Things
were going pretty good, and I had no reason to be so fidgety.
    "You'll have your GED soon?"
    "Yes, hopefully I'll be ready to take the
exam by the end of May."
    "Okay then." She sat back in her chair
and smiled for the first time since I arrived. "I'll make my recommendations
to the powers that be. We'll need to verify the information you've given me
with your uncle, and then we'll see what we can do about getting you out of
here by the first of June. How's that sound?"
    It felt like a ton of weight I'd been carrying
around on my back for the past five years had just lightened by a few hundred
pounds. "It sounds real good, Mrs. Delmonico. Thank you."
    She stood and shook my hand. "I'm proud of
the man you've become."
    I left her office and headed for the cafeteria to
grab some water. I had a few minutes to kill before I had to be at my next class,
so I checked to see if the mail had been delivered yet. I was rewarded by
another sweet smelling letter from Claire.
    She'd sent a picture of herself. It was just a
small black and white, but it was easy to see she'd turned into quite a beauty.
I wondered if it would be too forward for me to ask if she had a boyfriend.
    I wrote her back the first chance I got to tell
her the good news. I didn't expect her to want to see me or anything. I just
felt like I needed to share this with someone before I split apart at the seams
from holding it all inside.
    Dear Claire,
    Your letter brought a
smile to my face, as usual. Thank you for sending your picture. You're even
prettier than I remembered. You must have men lined up outside your door for
miles.
    If you were to go to
college, what would you study? Where would you go?
    Before I forget, what
the heck is "LOL"? Lots of luck?
    Lady luck may finally
be smiling down on me after all this time. I met with my counselor today and
she's going to recommend I get released by June first. That's earlier than
expected. I don't have to tell you, I can't wait to see this place in the
rearview mirror.
    I'm sure your dad only
wants what's best for you. I think we all tend to take things for granted, and
then when they're gone, we wish we would have done things differently. I know
there's a whole mess of things I'd like to do over. 
    Maybe I'll have to see
if I can remember how to ice skate and teach you. I won't let you go out on the
ice if there's a chance of falling through.
    Next time Uncle Jeb
comes for a visit, I'll make sure he brings home a music box just for you.
They're nothing special. I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal out of
them. I'm proud of my work, and they're nice and all, but they're not that
great.
    I don't really want
anything to do with my brother. My counselor recommended that I don't have
contact with him, and I'm okay with that. Uncle Jeb's already made it clear
that Brogan isn't welcome at the marina. If he comes back to Hensteeth, running
into him will be unavoidable, but as long as he's not living with us, it won't
be so bad.
    It looks like I'll be
taking you up on that cake. I remember my Aunt Carol used to make the best
carrot cake in the world. You don't really have to bake one for me. I'd be just
as happy with a store bought one.
    The tattoo I want is
just a simple quote that reads, "By the strength within, I shall
succeed." If your daddy didn't kill me, we could go get one together. But
you can't tell him it was my idea.
    Yours truly,
    Braden
    I sealed the envelope and went down to the
woodshop to work on the music box for Mrs. Collins. As soon as I finished that
one, I'd be able to get started on the one I promised Claire.

CHAPTER NINE
    Claire
Copeland
     
    It was my turn in the kitchen and I started dinner
as soon as I got home from school. Perfection couldn't be rushed. Olivia walked
in about