AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No.” The background noise had faded.
“I shouldn’t feel guilty or pay the consequences for their choices.” That might have been some of the anger talking, but I had enough weight on my shoulders. I’d never know why they did what they did. Worrying myself over things without answers was wasteful.
“You’re the calm in the chaos.” He spoke quietly. Reverently.
I realized I liked to be needed. Maybe it was because before the rescue, no one ever had.
“I haven’t figured out why I can’t leave the hospital.”
Now it was my turn to listen. And I would as long as he wanted me to.
“Part of it is because I have to know I did all I could. Which is crazy. He doesn’t deserve one more second of my time.”
While I hadn’t been paying attention, Sadie had led us to the park. The scene had a new meaning since finding out my aunt had been in the barrels. It was still a charred black hole.
“I need to just cut the ties once and for all.” He sounded hurt as he spoke. “It’s the best thing for me. But I can’t let go of the bitterness.”
We allowed family to be part of our lives because we were supposed to, no matter what they did. Wherever that unwritten rule came from . . . it needed to go back.
“I can’t hate him either. I should for everything he’s done, but I can’t.”
I wanted to be with him. To be his shoulder to lean on.
Instead, we were in our own separate hells. If we could push past this time, we’d be in a better place.
“If you hated him, it would consume you. Not him.”
Sadie stared at the remains of the park. What was going through her mind? She seemed to be taking it in, trying to figure out why what used to be there was no more.
“He has been consuming me anyway. I didn’t realize it, but he’s always there. I want peace, whatever that looks like.”
I tugged on the leash, ready to go home. “You’ll find it.”
“I hope so.”
“Did you go by Garrison’s?”
Miss Adeline sat behind the desk surrounded by dogs.
“With Sadie? No way.” I loosened her leash, and she wandered toward the others, barging her way into the space she wanted.
I flopped onto the desk and let my legs swing. I needed a minute before the next walk to warm up.
“I don’t know why he wants the dogs to taste test his treats for the fundraiser. They’ll eat anything.” She shrugged and moved some papers around.
A corner of the fireman calendar appeared.
I touched it. “You’re still looking at that thing?”
“And you’re still offended by it.”
“Not as much as I was.” I tilted my head. “I’m not enthused about Teague posing again.”
“When’s he coming back?”
I fiddled with the edge of the worn wood. “Not sure. His dad’s awake. They may let him out tomorrow.”
“I thought he was critical.” Her brow furrowed.
