Page 80 of Cry Madness

Just our hard-earned ‘happily.’

We’ll journey through this world together, hand in hand, facing every challenge side by side. Together, we’ll rise above any obstacles life presents and recover from setbacks. We’llcelebrate each other’s successes, knowing that not every day will be filled with clouds. There will be sunshine—glorious sunshine—shining down on us. And when night falls…

Come night, we’ll dance under the pale glow of the moon. We may not have our maze anymore, but we still have Devil’s Ridge. Lit by the Dodger’s headlights, Maddox watches me as I scroll on my phone. I set it on the car’s hood and hold out my hands to him, the first notes of Cass Elliot’s “Baby I’m Yours” echoing in the warm summer air.

“Dance with me.”

Maddox’s smile is honey and spice with a splash of mischief—just like him.

Exactlylike him.

Exactly like me, and when he takes me in his arms, I realize what’s been staring me right in the face all this time. Wonderland isn’t home. It’s a place, a little town filled with larger-than-life personalities.Maddoxis my home.

My home, my peace, and finally, my salvation.

The End