#ARTLYSIUM #ArtlysiumInc #ShortStoryChallenge #ShortStoryChallenge2016 #ShortStoryChallengeArkansas #BryanAHill #Artlysium #TheBrokenWorldNovel #ArtlysiumInc #ArtlysiumSeries #Carnage #MyEyesAreGlowingMoodRings #WhenYouThinkTooMuchYouRemoveWhatsMovin Sophia showed me what taking care of yourself looks like. After we decided to be friends, we began seeing more of each other. We would work out daily and also go running. I taught her about my cross-country days, and she taught me about her past. I felt that the love was real. I learned that women love connections. Sometimes, it could be the smallest connection that makes the biggest difference, a connection only your soul can offer someone. A person who can bring some insight into one’s own self. I love women and how they think. I love women that are strong. I will pick her up if she ever falls. I will pick her up even if I do not have strength at all. I will pick her up even if I fall. I will pick her up with my all. I will pick her up because within her is where my strength revolves. I will lift her up because she is my all. Together, love evolves. A year has passed, and we are still together. We opened up deeply to each other. I learned a lot about her past. She was once married to a famous boxer. I pondered on this information 24 hours before I questioned her further. Sophia said, “He gave me $2 million in cash one day and left our house. I never spent a dollar of it, and I haven’t seen him since that day. That has been almost 4 years ago.” I asked her, “Where did he get the money?” Sophia stared at me as if she was surprised I asked this question. I ignored the signs, and she continued. “I put it in a safe place. If I ever retire, then I will take my money and move some- where new.”“Why not move now?”I asked.“He never told me whose money it was, or how he got it. I will not be linked to it if someone ever comes looking for it. I even thought about turning it in, but it only took me 10 minutes to decide not to. I am fearless, but I am still smart and cautious.” She said. “I apologize for the questioning, but I had to know, since you mentioned it.” I know she is especially cautious with her heart.