Page 78 of Total Ship Show

I cry because I’m sad.

I cry because I’m angry.

I cry because I’m hurt.

And most of all, I cry because I suddenly feel an immense loss. A loss I wasn’t expecting to experience.

Aris made this week incredibly special for me.

He made me happy.

He made me feel.

He made me question everything.

And it was all a lie.

A lie that I agreed upon.

I have no one to blame but myself.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

ARIS

We can do this.

We can make this work, I know it.

We’re adults. It’s our lives. We get to decide what we do and who we love.

And I think I love Adrienne.

And tonight’s the night for me to tell her.

My smile broadens as I dry off from my shower. I brush my teeth quickly and then

open the bathroom door, excited and anxious to confess my feelings to Adrienne.

But she’s not here.

“Ade?” I pull back the balcony curtains wondering if she went outside, but she’s not there. I swallow a nervous lump and even look down into the water wondering the absolute worst, but still, there’s nothing.

Nothing but darkness.

I turn around back inside and its then I finally notice her luggage is gone.

“What the fuck?”

Panic sets in and my stomach drops. Where the hell could she have gone? And why? Why would she just leave? What’s happening? I don’t understand. Fifteen minutes ago, we were making love and it was the most glorious feeling I’ve ever experienced and now she’s gone?

Pulling open every closet and cupboard in this room, I hunt for any sign of Adrienne or her belongings hoping above all hope that she snuck them into the closet and is just out for a quick walk or maybe a snack.

But nothing about her remains in this room.

Pushing my hand through my wet hair, I look around the room, dread washing over me when I see a piece of paper on the counter with her writing on it.

I’m sorry. I can’t.

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