Chapter 127

Violet

Three Weeks Later

"That's all I have for y'all today." The teacher at the front of the class checks her watch. "I know it's fifteen minutes early, but let's go ahead and cut out. I'm sure we've all had a long day."

When I started night classes, I wasn't sure what to expect since before this I didn't have more than a high school education. There was a fear I wouldn't measure up to the other students, but I learned quickly we all had our own stories. Meeting Karina Holland changed my academic life. She'd tutored Leighton in one of the subjects she needed some help with, and when I told her off-handedly I wanted to go back to school, she'd made it happen. As I put my backpack on my shoulders and pick up my bottle of water, she stops in front of me, a welcoming smile on her face.

"You doin' okay, Violet?"

"I am." And I mean it. The last few months have been difficult, but I'm happy with this life I've carved out for myself. I'm doing better than I ever imagined I would be.