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“I can,” Tom says. “As long as there aren’t any ghosts.”
Both the cousins are pleased when I tell them I’m planning to stay in Grimstone.
“It grows on you,” Tom says, sinking back on his pillow with his arms cradled behind his head.
“Like fungus,” Emma says dryly.
“I like it here.” I look at Dane and smile. “It’s…interesting.”
“Better than being boring,” Dane says, smiling back.
As Amy, Emma, and Dane file out of the room to let Tom take a nap, I run back to say one last thing to him.
“I’m really sorry. For leading you on, for going on that date…”
“Ah, it’s okay.” Tom gives me his grin just as sunny as Emma’s, his carroty hair all in a mess. “Us miscreants will always help each other out.”
* * *
When I drive backto Blackleaf alone, the house no longer looks like a broken-down beast. The shutters are trim and freshly painted. I’ve nailed on brand-new shingles and even made a sign post.
But it’s empty inside.
No Jude. Nobody to take care of. No one but me.
I miss him.
I loved my brother, and it fucking sucks that he’s gone.
That’s the truth.
He didn’t love me back. He’d hurt me to help himself.
That’s also the truth.
Why do we admit the truth even though it fucking hurts? Because that’s the way it won’t kill us anymore.
It is painful to admit hard truths. But it’s incredibly healing to be forgiven and loved in spite of them.
