Page 112 of Our Long Days
I smooth down her wild hair. “Distraction from what?”
She nuzzles further into my chest, sighing sadly. I feel her mouth move against my neck but don’t catch the words. Slipping my hand between us, I hook a finger under her chin, raising her gaze.
“What did you say?”
Her shoulders slump. “A distraction from my brain. It’s loud.”
My lips brush over her pinched brow. “Let’s go for a drive. Your test is coming up. The fresh air might help.”
“No. It’s pointless. I’ll screw it up.” Her smile tight, her grip on me loosens, and she steps away. “Go shower. I’ll sort this mess. I’ll be fine, just a bleugh day. Ignore me. I’m so proud of you and the team for finishing the summer camp.”
I’ve never met anyone who feels as deeply as Florence. It’s beautiful; her empathy, unfiltered emotions, and ability to communicate her feelings with ease. This is new, because for the first time, avoidance is present.
The urge to pry the information out of her is strong—ironic and unfair, considering the last few months. Something I’ve picked up on is that her moods can rise and drop suddenly. I ride them out with her, hoping to keep those intrusive thoughts at bay. I try not to let mine spiral over what’s caused this withdrawn version of my girl.
She busies herself, shrinking back into her head, but I give her space. God knows she gave me enough recently.
I’m entering the bedroom when my phone vibrates. I answer it without checking the Caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Oh, Dex, sweetheart,” a kind voice greets.
“Claire, hey. Everything all right?”
“Is Florence with you?” Her gentle tone feeds my worry.
“Something happened at the appointment, didn’t it?”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
florence
Sleep is the best remedy.
Sadly, I spent the night tossing and turning. Too hot and too cold. The mattress was soft and hard all at once. Dex didn’t push, and he scarfed down the veggie chili I whipped up, though I hardly remember making it. My body was on auto-pilot, and I wasn’t in the driver’s seat.
Tired to my bones, I dragged myself to bed before the sun set. He had better things to do, and it should’ve made me happy he followed, yet it irked me. The comfort of his solid embrace was overwhelming. His mustache scratched my skin. The tick of the clock in the bedroom corner beat like a drum.
Yesterday’s appointment poisoned everything.
Today was a fresh start, and although my muscles ached and head pounded, I was determined to get through the day and put it behind me.
There was no avoiding my mom’s inquisition when she met me outside the medical center, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell Dex the truth.
I left him to sleep in, fed the goats, and headed to the office to catch up on the work I missed yesterday.
Mistake number one.
Everything was a disaster.
Email responses made no sense.
My attention was everywhere and nowhere.
It was as if thick, greasy oil coated my brain. No matter what I did, nothing stuck. Before the mental paralysis took hold of me, I stepped away, breathing slowly.
In, out. In, out. In, out.
