178 Back at the Townhouse

(Winona)

The familiar scent of my townhouse hits me as we step inside. It's just so good to be home. To have somewhere to call home. I feel for Mom and Cass who’ve just lost theirs, even though it was time that house went.

My place is warm, inviting, and it’s so far removed from the world we just left behind that it almost feels like stepping into another life entirely.

But I’ve tried to keep it ordinary and nothing flashy but after revisiting my past I can see how this place reeks of someone with money and not without.

Mom and Cass follow me inside, looking around with wide eyes. I can tell they’re both trying to take it all in. Mom clutches her bag a little tighter, like she’s afraid she might break something just by being here.

Cass, on the other hand, has that same defiant look on her face, like she’s daring the house to reject her or me. She needs to find her feet. That can be a rough road.

“This is… this is really nice, Winona,” Mom says, her voice trembling a little. “I’ve nev