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I ruffled Grayson’s hair. “What do you think about sitting on the deck while we wait for Kaitlyn? We can count seagulls.”

He laughed. “Birds.”

I poured juice in a sippy cup and grabbed a box of crackers for the deck. Grayson followed me outside.

We sat in the deck chairs and had our afternoon snack.

It was the first day I had felt like me. I had refused to take any more pain medication.

There was something about this recovery that reminded me of those first weeks back from Afghanistan. I couldn’t shake it, but it was finally starting to erode.

The door slid open and Kaitlyn grinned at Grayson. He ran toward her, tackling her with a hug.

I knew she was the reason. Without her, I would have slipped into a darker place. I would have let this injury change me.

“Feel better?” I winked.

She blushed. “I already felt good. I’m glad the storm passed.”

“I’m glad that storm hit.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She took Grayson’s hand. “How was school?”

He picked up a cracker. “Want some?” He held it toward Kaitlyn.

She pretended to nibble on the corner. He couldn’t stop laughing.

How did she do that? How did she know exactly what to do?

Her eyes met mine. “Are you ok?” she asked.

I nodded. “Just taking it all in.” I smiled. “Taking you all in.”

15

Kaitlyn

The date on my calendar was marked because I couldn’t keep the days straight. Mary Ellen had planned this trip and I was a horrible friend who had to set a reminder on her phone.

I pulled up the event and blinked.

That couldn’t be.

I looked at the date again and counted backward. No. That wasn’t right.

I hadn’t had my period in six weeks? What?

My skin prickled with fear and it ran straight to my boobs.

Ouch. Oh God. Was that why they were so sensitive?

I couldn’t breathe. My throat tightened. And I thought I was going to throw up. I ran to the little bathroom in the back of the office. I stared in the toilet bowl but nothing happened.

I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face.

I heard the front door open.

“Darlin’, you in here?”