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Liam:
How does it feel? How do you feel?
Laura:
A bit unsteady. I guess that’s normal.
Laura:
As for how I feel? Ask me tomorrow.
Liam:
You’ve got this. I believe in you.
I believe in me too. I’m not going to fall, not again. Never again. Inside I know no man will ever drop me to my knees—physically or metaphorically—because I know the truth of what happened the night I stood here in this very spot. Time will help scab over my open wounds. I put away my phone and pull out the chart of the young patient presently in the bed Bailey occupied. “Looks like you took a nasty spill on a motorized skateboard?”
“Yeah,” she moans.
“Maybe not today, but you’ll feel like flying again one day soon.”
“Promise?”
“Life’s all about taking risks.” I wink at her, reassuring her terrified mother.
Before I move, I pull up a different text string and send a quick message to the person who I’ll always remember every time I stand in this very spot.
Laura:
Hey, Buttercup. Hope you had a good day at school. XOXO
Bailey:
I miss you, Laura.
Laura:
I miss you too.
I miss your father too, but I bury that information deep inside where it can’t hurt if I try to get up and fly again. Just like that little girl who tumbled head over feet.
I survived the loss of Liam, but I can risk everything by giving us a chance to start over. Or, if not, I’ll figure out a way to live just fine without him.
Even if that means never falling in love again.
Chapter
Seventy-Four
If I’ve learned nothing else in the last few days, it’s neither words nor actions can speak exclusively for how a person feels. It’s like saying every day can have a rainbow without both the rain and the sun.
No matter how many perfectly beautiful days I spent with Laura, the second the storm hit, I abandoned her. I didn’t shelter her as she tried to protect me and Bailey. I let my hangups and dark past overshadow what could have been a beautiful path forward in our relationship.
I want Laura to be happy and from what I’ve observed, I need one crucial person in my corner.
The night of her party, I thought it would be easier to disappear from her life, give her a chance to move on from the vitriol I spewed at her.
Then, something happens to help me beat back the demons. A glimmer of hope.