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“A little over three and a half years ago, I had sous It caused pere, hence the raspy quality to my voice I wasn’t able to talk for months while it recovered due to the pain When I was released, I didn’t have theand that’s why I didn’t put in the work to i it easily It won’t ever sound the sa periods of time, but I can talk If I don't use it often, it's more painful when I do speak,” I explain, then prouilt washes overto reveal this information to them There's a mixture of horrified looks and pity I study ives me a squeeze, and Adam leans over to kiss me on the cheek

“Well that’s enough excite rateful smile in return and stand to help collect dishes, and my friends all join in We pile them on the counter in the nearby kitchen and help Maria carry platters of cupcakes out to the table

“Baking is a hobby of mine, so I hope you all like to eat,” Maria jokes as she passes cupcakes to anyone who's interested I'm all over the chocolate cupcakes, so I don’t need the encouragement

"Well eating is a hobby ofa bite of a vanilla cupcake Everyone laughs butelse Her cupcakes are practically gour my stomach

After dinner I make my way into the kitchen to help with dishes Sophia quickly joinswith Maria It's actually nice We work in co on our work Eventually Maria can’t stand the quiet and turns on a radio I just laugh as Sophia and Maria dance around putting dishes away and wiping down the counters They’re so much alike it’s scary

I'm content here with the, I feel like I'm with family

When we're done, I head upstairs to find ain They pushed the bed out of the way and have a double ga

“Come on, Charlie! It’s not too late!” Abby yells froled around Adam and Trent Cole calls out another instruction, and Adam collapses I take a seat next to Cole and watch ame

“Have you played before?” Abby asks, clearly still trying to get me to join in I shake ht, re!” she announces like it’s already decided

“I don’t think you have a choice, Charlie girl,” Cole says pointedly, looking at Abby with a shake of his head

“Alice is joining, too!” Trent de Alice to look up frooing right back to reading, dis his idea

“I’ll join if Cole does,” I tease I give him a shoulder bump, and he smiles

“Only for you,” he says, before announcing the next color

“Wait, Cole is going to join? It’s official, Charlie changes the rules,” Adam jokes, and Cole throws a pillow at him

“Cole never plays, he’s too broody,” Abby says and pulls her face into an exaggerated frown My laughter is nearly silent and I give a shrug I do change the rules, because he likes trying new things withis, they all do