Page 59 of Beneath a Tennessee Sky

Jack stares at it like it’s a live grenade. “I have to take this.”

I sigh and walk into the bedroom. I hear him talking as I pack my things. Coming here was a mistake. He doesn’t need me. I can’t stand to see him like this.

Jack comes into the room. “What are you doing?” he asks.

“My parents need me,” I lie smoothly, already grabbing my suitcase. “Family emergency. I’ll get a cab to the airport.” Again.

“What? Wait, for real? You’re going to leave?”

“Yes, I need to.”

“I’ll take you,” he says.

“No. You’ve got stuff to take care of here.”

“I’ll book your flight,” he says.

“All set,” he says. “They upgraded you to—”

“I don’t care about upgrades, Jack.”

His mouth snaps shut.

Jack’s phone buzzes again. He doesn’t check it.

“I’m sorry,” he says finally.

I want to believe him. Want to believe this is just a phase, that the real Jack is still in there somewhere. But when I search his face, all I see is exhaustion and desperation and a hunger that has nothing to do with me.

“It’s okay,” I whisper.

He pulls me into a hug, his grip almost painful. “I’ll call you.”

I don’t answer.

I go downstairs alone. My heart is breaking but I’m not about to cry. Not yet. I keep my wits together as I go through security. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long to board.

At cruising altitude, I finally let the tears fall. The businessman next to me discreetly offers a napkin.

Through the window, Memphis shrinks to a speck of light in the darkness. Somewhere down there, Jack is probably already back on his phone, back to chasing whatever it is he thinks will fill the hole inside him.

And I’m here.

Finally understanding that some loves aren’t meant to be saved. I tried. He tried, but it just wasn’t meant to be.