Page 47 of Dare to Need

I shook the thought from my mind, burying it further still in the recesses of my heart.

Drema’s head tilted as her bright blue eyes steadied on Garth as though she were studying him, similar to how she studied art pieces in a museum.

“Fear makes us do funny things, Eva. It can make us feel alive and brave when we face it head-on. Or it can make us retreat and it infests whatever sense of peace we have. I think Garth is in that in-between.” She stopped walking and turned to face me. The sunlight caught her hair, making it look like bright red and orange flames were dancing around her face.

“When we are faced with the mortality of our loved ones, an indescribable fear takes hold. Unless you’ve experienced it, it’s really difficult to fully understand the gravity of it. I think a fracture in the relationship with that person makes it even harder to process. And you told me that Garth has spent the last decade at odds with his father, which even caused a rift within their entire family. Then, his father almost died, and suddenly all those disagreements and fights seemed so trivial compared to the finality of death.

“But we’re human. So, naturally, Garth is still experiencing those old feelings. It’s impossible to simply let go of ten years worth of resentment. At the same time, he wants to make things right. And because he is a good man, he sacrifices himself for the betterment of the relationship. Though, we both know that is only going to create further resentment down the road.”

She looped her arm through mine again and directed us forward.

“The good thing, my dear friend, is that you have an incredible man with a good head on his shoulders. Don’t despair. He will figure all of this out. He just needs a little time.”

I blinked. Completely flabbergasted by how insightful Drema was. And even more so by how little insightIhad. I guessed it was one of those moments where it was hard to see the forest through the trees.

“Shit. If I knew you were able to help me this much, I would have begged you to leave your internship.” We both laughed as we leaned on one another. “Seriously though. Thank you so much for giving me the space to talk about this. It’s been really hard watching him struggle. Especially since he’s always been the strong one. He’s always known what to do and seeing him go through all of this has been…difficult.”

“I can only imagine how hard this past week must have been for you both. But don’t forget your own strength, Eva. You give Garth a lot of credit for getting you through last year, butyouwere the one who did the inner work. Don’t give away so much of the credit.”

I leaned my head back on her shoulder. “Thanks, Drema.”

She squeezed my arm and we continued to walk in silence for a little while. Central Park was beautiful this time of year. It was so…green. And bright. And full of life. I made a mental note to myself to try and find an apartment close to Central Park so I could make a habit of running here.

“So,” I said, exaggerating the word. “Tell me all about Italy. And Lucas,” I chuckled.

Drema’s moonlight skin immediately blushed along her cheeks.

“It was good,” she managed through a coy smile.

“Umm, that isnotall I get. Come on, tell me the details.”

Her aqua eyes drifted forward, landing on the man in question.“It was incredible. I was so shocked when he offered to take off three months from work to come with me. I tried to tell him no so many times, but he insisted. It was a dream really. Walking through the cobblestone streets at night. Painting mountain top vineyards with him by my side. And the people in Italy are so welcoming and loving.”

She had a dreamy look on her face as she talked about her time abroad and a little flutter in my chest told me I was happy for her. Even though my mind was running rampant with envy. It seemed as though she and Lucas were finding their way toward one another while Garth and I were struggling to hold onto the tether that kept us together. All I could do was hope that what Garth told me this morning would remain true when things got tough again.

I let the swell of joy for my friend shine through as I tucked away the negativity that seemed to continuously creep in. “I’m so happy you had that time together, Drema. It sounds like you and Lucas are really happy.”

“We are,” she beamed.

It was probably the forced look of happiness on my face because concern shone in her eyes as she said, “You and Garth will get that back. I promise. It may not seem like it right now with all the stress you have going on. But I remember how you both were before I left. It was like witnessing magnetic energy in its purest state. When you moved, he moved, and vice versa.” She tucked a long strand of my hair behind my ear. “Just have faith that your love for one another is strong enough. Because I know it is.”

I let her words sink in as we continued our stroll through the park. Although it was only a little over a week that our worlds were flipped upside down, it felt like a lifetime had gone by and Garth and I were stuck in a vortex of hell. Trying desperately to make our way back to one another amid so much change.

“Just have faith that your love for one another is strong enough.” Drema’s words washed over me again and again until I finally started to believe them.

GARTH

The heat was worse than I remembered it being all those years ago when Lucas and I would spend our summers in the park, throwing a frisbee with some of our friends, or lounging under a tree while he studied his ass off and I worked on perfecting my craft.

It reminded me of the comfort of home and my stomach dropped thinking about how different things would be when we finally made the trip back. Not just because of everything we’d gone through with my dad, but what was waiting for Eva. That fucking prick was still trying to sink his grimy claws into her after all this time and there was no way in hell I was going to let him torture her further. He put her through enough last year and he was lucky he didn’t have graver consequences.

“I know a few good plastic surgeons who could help with all those wrinkles you’re giving yourself right now.” Lucas’ voice broke through my thoughts like a chef’s blade.

“Sorry, man. I just have a lot on my mind right now.”

“There’s no need to apologize to me, Garth. You’re the one who’s had the shit piled on thick.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “So, how’re things going, really? Eva sounded pretty concerned on the phone with Drema.”

“It’s fine,” I grumbled.

---