Is This Goodbye?

Lanie

Last Saturday came back to me. Cuddled up in bed at the resort, I’d told Andrew I loved him. He’d asked me to repeat myself, so I assumed he hadn’t heard my confession.

Now, it was strange that he was saying he’d never know how to show me how much he cared. All it took was three simple words. People said them to each other all the time.

And yet, here he was being vague and speaking in near-riddles.

“I know you care,” I told him. I wanted to reach for his hand, but his arms were still folded tightly.

“You’ve opened me up again.” His voice cracked, and he swallowed.

“You’ve changed me too,” I softly said, taking a small step forward.

Andrew’s shoulders loosened, and he dropped his arms, gaze sweeping across my face. His lips parted, and he looked as if he might reach for me, but he didn’t.

“This coma has shown me how stretched thin I am,” he quietly said. “Even with your help, I haven’t been giving Raven enough attention.”

“Yes, you have,” I quickly answered.

“Then why did I not k