Family, Part 1

“Well,” Jared said. “You know what they say. You can't choose your family.” He shrugged.

“I don't really see it that way,” Flora replied. “I've chosen mine, as far as I'm concerned.”

“You know what I mean. Blood family. Relatives.”

“I guess it depends on what you mean by 'family'. My blood relatives are no family of mine. You, Jasmine, Carlie. You're the ones who love me, care about my feelings and well-being, are always there for me. That's family.”

“I get you,” Jared said. “But you know how it is. Can't just turn my back on them, no matter what they do or say. It's important.”

Flura turned away to stare out the window. “That's what I did. Never looked back.”

“And you had your reasons, I know. I'm sure they were good ones.”

“I might tell you the story one day.”

“I respect that. In the meantime, I don't think I'll be disowning my family just because my cousin turned my cat into a frog.”