31
Dani
Kissing Max on my front porch was like a dream come true, until we heard my mom’s frightened screech. We broke apart and I froze there, so terrified that I was unable to move or react. If something happened to my mother, I didn’t know how I would survive it. Losing Dad was horrific enough. Losing Mom as well was not an option.
I stared at Max with wide eyes for a long moment. When he moved to lunge past me to go inside, my body finally began to react appropriately. Yelling as I ran toward the kitchen, I called out for my mom. “Mom! Are you okay?”
Max and I reached the kitchen at nearly the same time, and we both screeched to a halt. My mouth fell open as I gaped at the sight before me. Our friendly and protective black lab, Jasper, had the fur on the back of his neck standing a
