*Summer*

His words seem simple when in truth I find his sentiment profound. I had once never gone without, and during the past three months I struggled with my dwindling finances and what I feel now, knowing the struggle is behind me, is sweet indeed. I have always taken for granted what I had. No longer.

But it is more than that. Before, everything had been given to me, and now, with Dion’s help, I will be earning my coins, I will be gaining independence in a way I hadn’t before. Since leaving my family, all my decisions have been my own, but many of my actions have been tempered...