AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Who would they be?
I have no idea.
It’s a disturbing realization.
There’s a soft knock on the bedroom door before Viola peeks her head inside. “Are you ready?”
I suck in a deep breath before forcing it back out again. “Yeah.”
Pushing the door wider, she wanders further inside the space before coming to stand next to me. Her arms slip around my body as she tugs me close.
“I’m sorry, Fallyn. I still miss him like crazy.”
My shoulders wilt. “Me, too.” I don’t think that will ever change.
Instead of giving into the comfort, I break away and snag my purse off the dresser. The sooner I get this over with, the quicker I can put it behind me and move on. I wince because there will never be a time when I’m able to put Miles behind me. He’ll always be beside me, cheering me on.
I wish my parents could understand that and make their peace with it.
Maybe they could even find happiness again.
They deserve that.
We all do.
We need to celebrate Miles’ life instead of grieving his death as if it’s still fresh and new.
“If you’re ready, we can get moving,” she says.
We slip into our winter jackets before heading for the apartment door. My parents offered to pick me up, but I didn’t want to spend any more time with them than necessary.
Guilt pricks at me for those uncharitable thoughts.
Wolf offered to drop me off for lunch, but the farther he stays from the restaurant and my parents, the better off we’ll all be.
At least for the time being.
It’s all about baby steps.
Today, the plan is to broach the subject of therapy. Then, down the road, I’ll bring up that Wolf is back in my life.
Fifteen minutes later, Viola pulls into the restaurant parking lot before rolling to a stop near the front entrance and shifting into park.
She twists around and studies me for a few silent moments. “Are you good? You could always cancel and tell them you’re sick or something.”
I straighten my shoulders before shaking my head. “No. They came all this way. I don’t want to do that to them. Especially today.”
Concern flickers in her eyes as she reaches out and wraps her fingers around mine. “I love you, Fall.”
I force a smile and some of the anxiety that has been ever present since I woke up this morning fades. “I love you, too. And I’m glad you transferred here this year. Living with you has been the best.”
“It has been.” She squeezes my hand one last time before I slip from the vehicle. “Tell Aunt Eleanor and Uncle Hugo that I miss them and will see them soon.”
“I’ll be sure to do that. They’ll appreciate it.”
With that, I slam the car door and force myself to walk into the restaurant on wooden legs. I spot my parents seated at a table and let the hostess know I can find my own way.
As soon as Dad catches sight of me, he rises to his feet and opens his arms for a hug. I step into his warm embrace as his lips brush against my cheek. “It’s good to see you, sweetheart. How’s everything going?”
