Page 59 of A Master's Destiny
“What?”
“Whatever’s got you so riled up.”
I grunt, unwilling to talk to him. “Just do the assignment.”
He opens the next book and skims it for a moment before reading aloud, “‘How to maintain a long-distance relationship.’”
“That sounds promising. Keep reading.”
“‘There is an art to maintaining any relationship, but a long-distance one requires extra work because you rarely, if ever, see each other in the flesh…’” Slater snorts. “Isn’t that rich?”
I look up from my notes. “What are you talking about?”
He laughs ruefully. “This is utter bullshit.”
I put my pen down. “How would you know? Have you ever tried it?”
“Fucking lived it.” Slater goes back to the book, but each word he reads only seems to agitate him more and he eventually stops again. “The person who wrote this obviously has no clue what they’re talking about.”
I sigh in frustration. “Your personal commentary is not helping us get the paper done.”
Slater continues reading, “‘Long-distance relationships aren’t impossible, but they can be difficult to maintain for long periods of time.’” He rolls his eyes, smacking the book hard. “Itisimpossible. It’s wrong to give people false hope.”
When I realize he’s not going to stop, I suggest, “Why don’t you tell me why long-distant relationships are impossible?”
The depth of pain I see in his eyes comes as a shock and leaves me mute.
He looks away. “Never mind. Forget it.”
I’m wondering if the endorphin high we’re both experiencing after the fire play session is affecting this conversation because he’s being overly emotional and I’m not as pissed at him as I should be.
“Let’s get back to it,” I quietly suggest.
“Fine.” Slater keeps reading, “‘Don’t put your life on hold for your partner…’” His voice breaks. Taking a deep breath, he continues. “‘Outside of the scheduled times you have set with your partner, remember that you have a life to lead. Keep yourself busy so you aren’t continually reminded that your partner is far away.’”
Slater shakes his head, looking as if he is about to lose it.
I reach over and shut the book. “Out with it.”
He rolls his eyes, but I can see tears in them.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me…” He lets out a breath in frustration. “Why the fuck do I care?”
I tilt my head. “Care about what?”
“That he’s gone.”
“Who’s gone?” I frown, having no idea who or what he is talking about.
Slater growls under his breath, then mutters to himself, “Keep it together, man. Keep it together…”
I stare down at my timer and watch the seconds tick by. “Maybe if you’d say it out loud, you’d be able to move on.”
The look he gives me is so painfully vulnerable that it makes me uncomfortable.
“My father died today.”
The moment I hear it, my heart constricts. Memories of my own father’s death spring to life. Unwanted tears suddenly prick my eyes as I struggle not to cry. Even though it’s been years, it still cuts like a knife.
