Page 88 of Inseverable (Carolina Beach)

I cross the small courtyard that separates my room from the rest of her house. There’s not much to my tiny dwelling, more like a cinderblock room big enough for a bed, desk, and wardrobe.

Metal bars line the windows and doors. I use my key and lock the door behind, leaving the privacy panel open so the evening breeze can sweep in and hopefully spare me from some of the thick humidity.

I pour myself a glass of water. After a few sips of the tepid liquid, I sit and write another letter to Becca.

Dearest Becca,

I’m sorry to hear about Hale’s daddy, and everything that surrounded his passing. I’ve written him a few letters, but I haven’t heard back. When you talk to him again please let him know I’m thinking of him and sending him my love.

I miss you and wish I could see you. You asked me in your last letter how I’m doing? In truth, I’m not doing so great.

Tears blur my vision. The first falls and drips onto my paper, causing the ink to run. But I continue, because only to Becca can I say what I say.

I’ll never forgive myself for what I did to Callahan. I screwed things up so bad. There never seemed to be a good time to tell him I was leaving. But I should have found one. Even if he left me sooner, I owed him the truth.

I wipe my eyes, remembering the look of devastation and anger on his face. I hate myself for hurting him, and pen these same thoughts to my letter.

I know you’re convinced he’ll wait for me. But I think you’re wrong. It’s already been eight weeks since I last saw him.

The reality of my words won’t allow me to continue. I drop my pen and cry into my hands.

My momma used to tell me time heals all wounds. I once believed her, but I don’t anymore. For as much time that’s passed, the pain I feel surrounding my break up with Callahan remains raw and constant.

Not that I don’t think I deserve it.

Or believe it wasn’t my fault.

My fear is he’ll move on?find another girl, and maybe even be married and have a child by the time I return. But what scares me more is that he won’t?that he’ll regress and become that recluse I first met, the one drowning in his own pain.

I don’t want him to be with anyone else. To touch anyone else. Or love anyone else. But if it means his happiness, I pray to God that love with another is what he finds.

My eyes sting at the thought, but I mean what I say. If there was ever a man who earned his happiness and peace, it was Callahan.

“Aqui,” someone squeals.

I straighten.Here?

The voice is familiar. I recognize it as Elbia’s, the little girl with the long hair who looks for me after school so I can check her blood sugar, and braid her hair.

“No.No.Aqui.” She giggles. “Aqui.”

I wipe my eyes, not sure what she’s up to. When I hear her laugh again, I shove the chair away and rise, thinking I better take her home when a more familiar, andverydeep voice says, “Here? Trinity’s here?”

My heart stalls along with my breath when Callahan’s large body steps in front of the metal bars that make up my door. His stare latches onto mine when he sees me standing there. Like me, he’s simply cemented in place. I clasp my hands over my mouth, to stifle my sob, barely believing he’s here.

Callahan reaches for the door, rattling the bars when it won’t open. I hurry forward, my hands trembling as I unlock it with my key and step aside to let him in. He rushes in, tossing his heavy pack and hauling me to him.

The door clangs shut as I fall against his chest, gripping him so hard I’m sure I’m crushing him.

“I’m sorry,” I choke out. “God, I’m so sorry.”

He strokes my hair, letting me cry. “Shhh. It’s okay. I’m here now, baby. I’m here.” His lips sweep kisses all over my face. But when his mouth nears mine and I turn, those sweet kisses become something more.

It’s like we were never apart, and we never stopped loving, our bodies pressing tighter and our mouths claiming each other. Callahan scoops me in his arms and carries me to my bed, lowering me so I lay across his lap. Slowly, he edges away, taking me in as if I might somehow vanish.

My hands stroke his beard, relishing the familiar tickle of his whiskers. “I can’t believe you’re here,” I stammer, crying all over again.

He smiles softly, lifting my hand to kiss and prove he’s with me. “I was worried you wouldn’t see me and turn me away.”

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