Page 196 of Between the Blue
“Four years ago.”
My spine steels.
Four.
Years.
Ago.
“Just before we met, you mean?” I ask her.
She doesn’t answer.
She doesn’t need to.
I clench my teeth together. Kinda hope they’ll break.
They don’t.
We sit in silence for a long time before I ask the next question. Before I’m able.
“And how long do you have left?”
She squeezes my hand. Forces me to look up at her.
“I’m already on borrowed time.”
The last of the air in my lung deflates. And the tears flow freely.
“Goddammit, Jules,” I mutter. My voice cracks.
She brushes the tears from my cheeks. But they just keep coming.
“You didn’t tell me,” I cry.
“I know.”
I shake my head.
“There were never any college classes, were there?”
She shakes her head.
“Or any family emergencies?” I ask.
“None not about me.”
I curse under my breath.
“I would’ve been here,” I say. “I would’ve given it all up for you.”
“And that’s why I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t let you.”
She cups my cheek. I cover her hand with mine. Look at her through my blurry vision.
“It was your dream,” she whispers.
“It wasn’t my only one,” I tell her. “You were my dream too.”
