For the first 6months of living in Hollywood, I stayed at hotels using money I took, and went to the free clinic for checkups on the kid. I had been very happy when I found out she was a girl. I wanted to name her Hope, but if she were a boy, I would've figured something out.

The only thing I missed was my sister, Mary. And having my own bed. However, once I turned 15, I was able to apply for emancipation. Only a month later, on September 23rd, Hope was born.

I quickly started studying for the GED and once I had that, I started looking for jobs and babysitters. I was soon hired as a receptionist at the office of a local Wedding Planner. Luckily, it paid just enough to get a babysitter, and the man I worked for let me and Hope stay in his spare bedroom.

Living there was my boss, Ben, his husband, Jake, Jake's sister and her husband, Juliette and Collin, their toddler, Katie, three cats, Uno, Dos, and Tres, and of course, the two of us. All of this meaning, it was very crowded with a total of 10 living beings in a small three-bedroom condo.

On the 1 year anniversary of the day I left Seattle, I decided to write a letter.

Dear Mary

If I count the ways I love you, I would be counting for a million years, but if I count the ways I love my daughter, I would be counting for infinity. I miss you every day, but I wouldn't trade this heaven for the world. I'm sorry, I wish to see you soon.

Love, 𝖫̶𝗂̶𝗇̶𝖽̶𝖺̶

Celeste

"Hey Ben?"

"Yea, what's up?"

"I want to be called Celeste, Linda is too tied with my old life and..."

"Of course, and I will spread the word,"

"Yes, please,"