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wasn’t a day Steven didn’t dress to kill in designer clothes and expensive shoes. He lived and breathed fashion and looked perfectly put together every day. He was gorgeous to say the least. Tall, muscular, with blond hair and green eyes, he was a catch. The only thing was, he didn’t like girls. Not one to shy away from his sexuality, Steven made it known he wasn’t someone you bullied or teased. He was nobody’s butt of a joke and had gotten into fights defending what he was. Jeannie sat and listened to Steven and Lydia as she waited to pull out of the school drive.
      “I have to say, you look rather washed out, honey. What’s going on with you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
      “I’m fine, Steven.”
       “Sorry, Jeannie, I’m coming over tonight and rescuing Lydia from white trash hell you are forcing her to live in. The sardine can is loaded with black mold and God knows what else. Look, you wore sweats to school. Haven’t I taught you better?” Steven’s gaze went to Lydia’s wardrobe. He loved to tease them about where they lived and he was the only one who could get away with it.
      “My pants are falling off and these are all I have,” said Lydia. That was the first time Jeannie had heard anything about her clothes not fitting.
       “If you were a guy, I would love to hear you say that. I will take you shopping this week. I can’t have this. This is just… no. Jeannie, have you stopped feeding this poor girl? I’ve been gone for two weeks and she looks like you have locked her in a closet,” he laughed.
      Lydia laughed too and Jeannie noticed she grimaced a little.  
      “Steven, would you bring her home after school? I won’t be done in time to get her.”
      “God yes, I don’t want her walking home in those pink sweat pants. God knows what might pick her up in the trailer park and become her husband before you get home.” 
        Lydia grabbed her backpack and took out her water bottle. “I’m glad my pain is humorous to you.” She had an awful taste in her mouth and took a swig of her water before heading inside.
      “I want you to burn those pink sweatpants tonight. Though, I do have a sweater the same shade,” he smiled.
      “I’m sure you do, and a matching thong to go with it,” said Lydia.
      “You’re right again. I do have a pink thong. I’m wearing it now. Want me to show you?”
      “Want me to puke, again?”
      Jeannie became more concerned by the second. “Puke? When did you puke, Lydia? You haven’t mentioned puking.”
      Lydia didn’t answer.
       “Good God, am I going to need hazmat to hose me down?” asked Steven, narrowing a brow at Jeannie.
      “I don’t know, Steven. This is the first I’ve heard she feels so bad she puked,” said Jeannie. She had to get to work and the line was beginning to finally move in the drop off.
      “I’m fine, you two. Stop talking like I’m not here. I’m okay.”
      “Listen, you two are entertaining. I have to get Michael to school and I’m already late for work.  Lydia, I love you and try to have a good day, baby. We’ll talk more tonight and you may be going to the doctor tomorrow. Steven, keep an eye on her. I will see you tonight.” Jeannie had to get moving as the line out of the school creeped along.
 

Chapter 2
     
    T hat morning, almost two years to the day when her husband died, Jeannie Franklin had no idea what lay in front of her later on. Pulling out of the school parking lot, she peeked at herself in the rearview mirror trying to pat down her messy hair with no luck. Jeannie didn’t look like the same woman she did two years ago. Seeing her reflection, she cringed and tried to not look in the mirror more than a couple of times a day. She had fallen apart both physically and mentally and feared she may not ever look good again. Jeannie needed some major work, but that of course was out of the question. She couldn’t afford a decent haircut, let