Page 15 of Soaring and Steadfast

Pray for me – dehydration is sure to follow!

A week?

Are you sure?

No TP on the Oregon Trail, buddy…

Lila shook her head, the laughter bubbling up again, unguarded and free. She clutched her stomach, the cramps momentarily forgotten, the weight on her shoulders lifting just enough to breathe a little easier. She didn’t realize how much she had needed this—just to talk, to banter, to exist with someone who made her feel like she wasn’t alone.

NOOOO! ??

(Thankfully, we have it here, though)

She wiped away the tears welling at the corners of her eyes. Not from sadness. Just relief. She didn’t feel so empty knowing she had a person to talk to, a stranger somewhere in this world that she got along with – who was just as weird as her.

Are you laughing as hard as I am?

I’m crying laughing…

Yeah, same.

A pause. A beat that stretched between them, something neither of them named, but both felt.

It’s nice.

Her fingers trembled slightly over the keyboard.

Her heart thudded in the silence before his next reply came.

Yes, it really is.

Don’t go getting mushy on me, buster.

She exhaled, drawing the line quickly and letting the moment settle into something safe, something known. Somehow, she could mentally see him backing away, knowing she’d reached her comfort level. She didn’t trust a lot of people in this world after Kyle, but she was starting to trust him.

Me? Never. That must be your hormones talking – we’re friends, and that’s it. I would never imply anything mushy.

You’re safe.

Her chest tightened.

Good.

She wasn’t sure if she meant it. But for now, it was enough.

A few weeks later, Lila lay in bed reading a mushy romance book with a heavy miscommunication trope that got her to thinking. Miscommunication ruined so many things sometimes – and she hesitated, wondering if maybe that was the key to what had happened to her and her ex. There was no excuse for what he did, what happened, but in her mind, she wanted to try to understand. She couldn’t help but wonder because she’d been hurt so badly.

Mentally and physically.

Picking up her phone, she drew in a ragged breath and began to type.

Do you think miscommunication or having an argument is ever a reason to hit someone?

His response was swift.

Uh, NO?

NEVER.

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