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It’s what he always wanted.”

“Thom…” I reach out and touch his hand, suddenly

feeling like a horrible friend for not asking him about

himself sooner.

“Uhh, anyway! How are things with you? How’s the

new church?”

“Good, I guess.”

“You guess?”

“I don’t know, I feel like a completely different person

ever since I started going to Holy Trinity. I usually feel

really good at church, like I belong, but at Holy Trinity, I

only feel good about myself when I’m there, but once I go

home, I miss the person I used to be.”

“Ah, I see. And are ya sure that’s the only person

you’re missing?”

I furrow my brows at him.

“What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean, Laine. Don’tcha

think I haven’t noticed you and Drew stopped hangin’ out

and coming ‘round Starry Scoops.”

“Oh, that-”

“Ya also didn’t grin when I brought ‘er up just now.

You’re usually so giddy, kicking your feet like an idiot in

love.”

“Nothing happened. We just drifted with the distance,

you know?” I try to sound casual, like it doesn’t bother me

that suddenly everyone feels the need to bring her up today, but my heart is pounding and my chest tightens,

making it very hard to do so.

“Laine, I think it’s safe to say I’m familiar with your

dynamic well enough that I know distance could never pull