Half a Heart

by Karen McQuestion

“If you’re wondering why we all look so different, it’s because most of us are linked by love rather than blood.”

Keep quiet, make the food last, and don’t cause trouble. If he did those things, he could get by without getting too much punishment.

they’d lived in an apartment above a large Cuban family, and Logan had been shocked by how affectionate the father in that family had been toward his children. They ran to greet him when he came home from work, and he scooped up the little ones, kissing and hugging them with no sign of embarrassment.

His father would never report him missing to the police. He was sure of that. He had too many outstanding warrants

Another time, she had explained to him the idea of karma, that what you put out into the world comes back to you. That it’s not always readily apparent, but doing the right thing was always the right thing.

There was no such thing as a little stealing or not quite stealing. Stealing was stealing.

He’d never told anyone what he’d seen. There was no point in telling. It wouldn’t change things.

Joanne couldn’t remember the last time she’d been hugged. It was kind of nice.

Knowing afterward didn’t help. And knowing beforehand was impossible.

The old Logan would have shrunk in terror, shook his head wildly, and pleaded with his eyes. But wishing for it to stop never stopped it. Nothing was ever going to change until he changed it.

I’ve always prided myself on being independent and not counting on anyone, but I’m starting to think that attitude doesn’t serve me very well. So I’m going to visit and look at the mother-in-law suite and give this some serious consideration.