Page 136 of Free to Fall

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.

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