Chapter 19 - Spring’s Promise
By the time March arrived, the snow melted away, revealing the green shoots of daffodils pushing up through the damp soil along the front walkway of Oakridge Lane.
Stephanie and Clinton had successfully paid off their final consumer credit card debt from their old lifestyle. They were still living in their apartment over the Laundromat, but they were actively saving for a modest, realistic down payment on a small home of their own across town—one they were financing entirely on their own merit.
On a warm Sunday afternoon, the four of us sat out on the front porch.
Mason was tossing a baseball back and forth with Clinton in the front yard, their laughter echoing down the quiet suburban street.
Stephanie sat beside me in the wooden rocking chair, resting her head against my shoulder as we watched the spring sun filter through the budding oak trees.
"We found a little house on Elm Street, Mom," Stephanie said softly, a genuine smile touching her lips. "It’s small. It has a yellow door and a small backyard for Mason. And the best part is... our name is the only one on the mortgage application."
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I turned and kissed the top of my daughter’s head.
"I couldn't be prouder of you, Stephanie," I whispered.
