The fallout

The days turned into weeks, and then into months. During that time, you settled into a new routine with Mrs. Geoff. Life felt different—softer, more stable—but there was always a lingering sense of unease about your mother. She hadn't contacted you since the day Sarah threw that letter at you, and you had begun to lose hope that she ever would. It was as if you were suspended in a painful limbo, waiting for some form of closure that never came.

The months following the disownment were some of the most challenging you’d ever faced. It was as if the ground beneath your feet had crumbled away, leaving you grappling with a profound sense of loss and confusion. Though you and Alison kept in touch through texts and occasional phone calls, it wasn’t the same. There was a heaviness between you two, a shared but unspoken sorrow over how your family had unraveled.

Two weeks after you’d left home, you met Alison at a small, quiet fast-food restaurant. She looked tired, as if the weight of your mother's actions had drained her too. She passed you a small, inconspicuous bag containing your IDs, wallet, and a few personal items. You thanked her, but there were no smiles exchanged, no warmth. It was a somber, awkward meeting, both of you unsure of what to say. Alison told you that your mother had locked herself in her room for days after you left, refusing to speak to anyone.

“Just... stay safe, okay?” she had said quietly before you both went your separate ways.