Lizzie held up her hand to stop whatever she was going to say. "Nothing is ever totally black or totally white. There are always, always, gray areas. Growing up without a mother is. . .well, it's the worst thing in the world. My mother died when I was seven. Suddenly there was no one to brush my hair in the morning, no one to tuck me in at night and sing to me, no one to tell me to eat my vegetables. My father didn't know how to iron, so I was always wrinkled. He wasn't much of a cook, either, but he did his best. One of our neighbors bought me my first bra. That same woman explained everything to me about 'that time of the month.' My prom dress was all wrong, my peers said it was slutty. I just loved the ruffles and sparkles and thought I looked like a million bucks. I cried for days when I heard what they said about me. There was no one to share it with but the dog. I missed my mother every day of my life, and I still do.

"The reason I'm telling you this is because just a few days ago, a very wonderful, kind lady adopted me. She adopted me. I now have a mother. This wonderful lady was the first to say she would never, ever, try to take my mother's place because that was impossible. She said she would just be a stand-in mom."

Marble Rose chewed on her lower lip as she twirled her hair between her index finger and thumb. Lizzie smiled to herself. She used to do the same thing when she didn't know what to decide. Hell, she still did it when no one was watching.

"You don't understand. . ."

"I understand more than you realize. You have absolutely nothing to lose by talking to your mother one-on-one. I'm willing to go out on a limb here and say when you walk away it won't be final. You'll make your peace and be happy about it, but the best part is you'll have a mother you can call on the phone, a mother you can visit, and, in time, open your heart to. This is just advice, Marble Rose, and now I'm off my soapbox. Tell me if you accept the offer."

Marble Rose took so long before she finally spoke, Lizzie was about to scream in frustration. "All right. So, what, I just get in my car tomorrow and. . .drive off?"

"That about sums it up. Where you go is up to you. You have your whole life ahead of you. Make wise choices, and you won't go wrong.

"Believe it or not, Marble Rose, you set this town on its ear. By next week it will never be the same. Be proud of the fact that in some small way you're part of what's going to be made right. So, if there's nothing else, I'll see you tomorrow morning."