Page 122 of Through the Storm

Me

You know the situation, Rebecca. Stop.

Three dots appear. Disappear. Then?—

Rebecca

Okay.

Rebecca

But Ben isn’t fragile, Katy.

Rebecca

He knows what he wants.

Rebecca

And he wants you. And he can handle the situation, you know he can.

Tears slip free, hot and silent, soaking into the pillow.

I want him.

I want him so badly it scares me.

That’s the problem.

Me

He deserves better than me.

Rebecca

Stop deciding that for him.

Rebecca

It’s rude.

A laugh breaks out of me, watery and wrecked.

Rebecca

He’s leaving for camp tomorrow.

Me

I know.

Rebecca

And you’re going to regret not saying goodbye.

My heart twists painfully.

I look at Ben’s message again. At the kindness in it. The patience.