Before and After the Storm
ACRES OF LUSH GREEN grass surrounded Hilarie. At the sight of the flawlessly manicured rose gardens that seemed to be at every corner, her jaw fell. “This is your backyard?” It seemed as immense as a forest.
“Yes,” Eric said, sitting on a red blanket and taking food out of a picnic basket: steak sandwiches, chocolate-covered strawberries, potato salad, two bottles of water, and a French silk pie.
Hilarie settled next to him. Such a perfect day. She’d finished all of her homework in the morning, the sun was shining, and she swore she heard some birds chirping. With a sigh of contentment, she rested her head on Eric’s shoulder.
They ate and everything was delicious. The steak sandwiches were juicy and tender, the strawberries sweet, the potato salad creamy and
