Do you know how many times I thought about the first night we met? How glad I was that I went to you? [Maria wouldn't tell him that what had made her choose him was that he seemed the most sober. not right now, anyway. maybe never. it wouldn't be fair, she thought. it took away from how important that night had been for both of them. they both had needed each other and no matter the reason for why she had gone to him, it didn't matter. meeting Adam still felt like fate.]

We didn't know it then but I was yours as soon as we spoke. And you were mine. I consider myself just as lucky as you. Someone to accept me, all my text messages, and how you don't mind that I can't calm down when I love you so much. [so many men had always found her annoying when she did that. always a matter of liking them more than they cared for her. or just wanting sex from her. Maria had never thought she would find someone like Adam, who seemed to view her as some kind of angel that graced his life. how the police had treated her, talking down to her because she was a stripper; that had always been what she was used to.

there was no way Maria would have given up on him and nothing was changing that even now.]

I don't know how you make a cat a ring bearer but we'll figure it out. He's missed you too, you know.