Thirty One

I wish I couldn’t see the reddish tinges of a soul in pain, because I know it’s my fault that she’s hurting. I could reach out and heal her, but the tension in her back and neck warns me that she wouldn’t thank me for it.

An already awkward moment having been made a thousand times worse, I try to think of a safe topic that won’t hurt her any more than the thought of me and Mack being together.

“Yes, it’s quiet. Peaceful.” I lean on the wall beside her, abandoning my intention to go sink into one of the white plastic loungers nearer the forest. It would feel—and most likely look—as if I were running away.

Since Mack is so sure Faith is only in need of a friend and a place to stay for a few days, perhaps I can be that friend. Maybe this can be the start of me being more positive, and less eager to always think the worst will happen.

“If you want to call it that,” Faith mutters beneath her breath.

With no idea of how to respond to what sounded like criticism, I choose to ignore it and in