Page 51 of Molt

“It’s worked for thirty-eight years.”

“I wasn’t here for thirty-eight years.”

“Exactly.”

The second I say it, I regret it.

She looks like I slapped her.

I close my eyes. “Lenora...”

“No. I get it.”

“You don’t.”

“You were better without me.”

“That’s not what I said.”

“It’s what you meant.”

“No.”

“Then what did you mean?”

I don’t answer.

She laughs bitterly. “Right.”

She moves past me and I catch her arm.

Stupid. Fucking stupid.

She spins.

We’re inches apart.

“Let go.”

“No.”

Her eyes flash. “Pick a fucking lane, August.”

“I don’t want you thinking that.”

“Thinking what?”

“That I was better without you.”

“Weren’t you?”

“No.” The answer comes too fast. Too raw.

She stops fighting me.

I should lie. I have to lie. Instead…“I was alive.”

Her anger fades.