"I can answer that easily. I have a positive outlook. And you like scowling." But there was no bite to her words, and instead her lips twitched in amusement. "Sometimes you have to force yourself to be happy or else the sadness becomes crippling. And I refuse to let cancer or that man win."
Thumb gliding over the tiny stones, she turned the box so that he could see. "My dad gave it to my mother when she found out that she was pregnant. It's not fancy or anything, but it meant the world to my Mama." Her parents had gotten married so young that they hadn't been able to afford a lot of nice things. But they always made up for it with love. "I think the clothes Valerian's bought me these last few months cost more than my father made in an entire year. This is what I'm used to."