Page 93 of Where We Fall

How can someone so sweet be dealt such a shitty hand in life?

“I didn’t even think of that. It must be tough not to have someone else to go through it with you. It’s a good thing you went with her.”

“Yeah, that was an easy decision.”

He looks at me thoughtfully. “It’s weird to see you like this.”

“Like what?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. All in love and everything.”

I laugh softly. “I’m sure it is. Considering it’s the first time and all.”

“Well, it’s nice to see. You seem happy, you know, despite the current circumstances.”

“Thanks. I am happy.”

I want to talk to him and tell him what’s keeping me up at night. This happiness I’ve finally found is on the verge of being taken away from me. Even if we stay together, it will be different—harder.

But I also know I can’t divulge that information to her current employer without her permission. It would be a serious break in trust.

“Well, I should get back to work. Keep us updated on everything.”

“Sure. Hey, by the way,” I say. “Thanks for being cool with her focusing on her mom and missing work.”

“Don’t mention it. We’ll figure it out.”

On the way home, I get my phone out and call Lexi.

“Hey, you,” she answers right away.

The tension I’ve felt in my body all damn day finally starts to fade away. It’s incredible that just hearing her voice can have such a direct effect on my body.

“Hey, babe.”

“Are you just getting off work?”

I lean my neck to the right to stretch it, and it cracks. Damn, I’m pent-up.

“Yeah, I’m on my way home. How are you?”

“I’m alright. Just got word that she will be released tomorrow.”

“That’s good news. It means her recovery is exactly where they hoped it would be.”

I know none of this sounds like good news, but you have to take the victories where you can.

“Yeah,” she says unenthusiastically. “She was able to take a couple more steps today with the walker but got really angry and almost fell again.”

Shit. That doesn’t sound good. I hate that I'm not there to take care of her.

“Well, a couple more steps are a couple more steps,” I say, trying to look on the bright side.

“I guess so.”

She sounds so defeated.

“I’m sorry I’m not there.”

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