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Kaley sat there, realizing there was trauma in the others’ lives as well, and they seemed at peace with it.

“I guess I’m lucky. My family only kicked me out for wanting to be a nurse,” Regina said.

“That makes no sense.” The words burst from Kaley’s mouth.

“It doesn’t. But their loss is my gain.” Dane placed a kiss on Regina’s cheek.

“My ex-boyfriend took me to a horror campout even though he knew I’d hate it.” Sierra turned to Max. “The only good thing was that it brought me to Max.”

“It did. You looked like a drowned kitten that night, but you took my breath away.” Max grinned at Sierra.

“I didn’t realize…” She swallowed. Face your fear. The words her therapist spoke during their last session echoed in her ears. “I was stabbed a few years ago in a random robbery.”

All eyes turned in her direction. Anthony shifted in his seat, his hand on her thigh. Kaley covered his hand with hers and gave it a squeeze.

Everyone started talking at once. Kaley sat there, absorbing all the love. That’s what it was. Voices of concern, but also kindness and understanding. This is what she’d been missing all these years. People who cared…and understood.

“Is that why…” Regina trailed off.

“It’s okay, Regina. Yes, it’s why I triggered; I’m afraid of knives.”

Max nodded. “Makes sense now.”

Kaley glanced at Anthony. His eyes were shining with… She didn’t know what. He looked proud of her.

Conversation returned to more mundane subjects, and they finished breakfast, then made their way to the car. When they were on their way, Anthony reached over and took her hand in his. “That was brave of you to talk about your fear at breakfast.”

“Once I told you, it was a relief. It was easy to tell them.” She shook her head. “I didn’t realize how much trauma they’d been through.”

“Most of us have trauma in our lives.”

“I never really thought about it. What’s your trauma?” Silence filled the vehicle, and Kaley turned to look at Anthony. His expression was thoughtful. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “I’m adopted.”

“Oh.” While it didn’t sound traumatic to her, maybe it had been for him. “How old were you?”

“I was a little over a year old.”

“You must have been so scared.” She could only imagine a one-year-old losing the only family he knew and being given to strangers.

“I really don’t remember.”

“Have you ever thought about finding your birth parents?” She’d read stories about adoptive kids looking for their birth parents.

“No.” His chest rose and fell with his deep breath. “From what I understand, my birth parents gave me my name and then gave me up.”

Her heart hurt for him. “Maybe they couldn’t take care of you?” She was trying to be logical but couldn’t quite understand why someone would give up their child. But then again, it happened every day in this world.

“Maybe. Anyway. I was adopted by the Pierces.”

“Pierce? Wait a second; I thought your last name was Payne.”

“Payne is my birth parents’ last name.”

Kaley tilted her head. “But you didn’t take the Pierce last name?”

“I did. But I dropped it.”

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