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“My mom is here.”

“Your mom? Here? In New Orleans?”

“Jolie told her about the houses and the money.”

“Shit,” Melinda muttered mainly to herself.

“Yeah,shit,” Kyle agreed, sniffling again. “She flew down here today and showed up at the house.”

“Oh, babe,” Melinda said, scooting closer.

“She wants us to give her the money and the houses.”

“What? Why?”

“She says she deserves them.”

“Your grandmother left them to you,” Melinda said, placing her hand on Kyle’s thigh.

“My mother told me she never wanted me,” Kyle replied, staring straight ahead.

“What?”

“She said she didn’t want me at all,” Kyle explained. “I told her I knew what really happened back then.”

“Why she got kicked out?”

“She didn’t. She ran away,” Kyle said. “She tried to… She tried to get rid of me, and my grandparents saved me.”

“What?”

Melinda wanted to know where this woman was staying because she planned on kicking her ass all the way back home. Kyle filled her in on the journals and what she’d read just prior to her mother showing up, and Melinda decided that, yes, kicking this woman’s ass was worth going to jail for. How could she say those things to her own daughter? ToKyle? To sweet, beautiful, responsible, and kind Kyle?

“Where is she staying?” she asked through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know. She just said that this wasn’t over,” Kyle replied, resting her head finally on Melinda’s shoulder.

Melinda wrapped her arm around her and pulled her in closer.

“If you find out, you tell me. I’d like to introduce myself.”

Kyle chuckled and said, “I always knew there was more to it than what she told me, but I never thought it was this; that she did all of this. She caused her parents so much pain, and then did the same with me, my dad, and even Jolie. She wasn’t supposed to be a parent.”

“Well, as much as I know she’s hurt you, I’m glad she became a parent.” Melinda kissed her forehead. “I haveyoubecause of it.”

Kyle lifted her head and stared into Melinda’s eyes.

“Will you tell me I’m worth it?”

“What?” Melinda asked softly.

“That I’m worth something because I’ve never really felt–”

“Kyle, you are worth everything,” Melinda interrupted her. “You’re worth everything. I’m totally crazy about you, and we just met.” She smiled softly. “Babe, you put yourself through college. You have your own business. You’ve practically raised your sister. You’re a good person, Kyle Schafer. She’s a horrible one and a bitch for making you feel otherwise.”

Kyle gave her a short nod in response and said, “I’m sorry I brought all of this drama with me when I came to town. I didn’t exactly expect to meet someone.”

“I didn’t plan on meeting you, either, but here you are,” Melinda replied with a smile. “And I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but you don’t have to apologize to me for something your mother is doing, Kyle,” she added, hoping Kyle actually heard her.