Page 150 of Camp Bliss
“Y-You told me… th-the night before I left… that I c-couldn’t run away—” he gulps noisily, “from my problems…” He sniffles and his breath hitches. “You were right.”
He’s back because of something I said? Before he split on us? With half our money? I roll my eyes.
So, if Ihadn’tencouraged him to get some help sorting his shit, he wouldn’t be here?
I shake my head at the thought.
Because, no.
If Josh is hitting rock bottom, who else would he turn to?
It’s not like he has anyone in the way of family. His mom died years ago, and his dad, Isaac, is a barely functioning alcoholic.
Josh isn’t the kind of person to let his guard down easily, but I know he let it down with me. More than with anyone else before me.
And maybe he should have thought about that before he ripped us off and fled the country.
I grit my teeth and stare at him. Unwilling to bend or soften.
Unable to walk away.
Because he’s asking for help.
My calling? The whole reason behind Camp Bliss? It’s to help people.
I have a master’s degree in counseling, for Christ’s sake.
How can Inothelp him?
At least a little.
Help him find whatever qualified professional or program that is able to serve him.
And yet, how can I help him when I want to scoop up one of Russell’s turds and fling it in his face?
Why does he get to put me in this position?
The riptide of frustration pulls me under.
“GGGAAAHH!”I shriek between my teeth. I scream until my lungs are on fire. Mourning doves in the trees above us startle and warble their indignance. Their wing-flaps sweep away the echoes of my cry.
Russell jumps up and rests his paws on my knees. His worried whine leaves me awash in guilt.
I suck deep lungfuls of air to try to calm myself down, and then I drag a hand down my face before I let myself speak.
“You are a fucking bastard to come back here, Joshua Bassett.”
“I kn—”
“Because even after what you did to me, you knew I’d still help you, you manipulative piece of shit,” I spit out the words.
“Greta, I—”
“No, Josh. Shut the hell up. We are not talking tonight.” I jab a finger in his direction. “You came to me. You dared to put yourself back in my life after not only stealing from me, not only throwing away our relationship, but making me look like afucking idiotin the process.”
He opens his mouth, and I cut him off with my raised hand.
“Eh!Shut it! There is literallynothingyou can say to me that won’t make you a bigger asshole, Josh. Not eventhank you.Because I am going to help you, goddammit. And I’m going to start by giving you a towel and a change of clothes because you need a fucking shower, you drunk, dirty bastard.”
