The next night, I sit around my dining room table with Hugo and Miles. Hugo has a notepad and a manila folder filled with his own research. Miles has his chair moved closer to mine, his hand within reach at any time. We’ve already talked about what to expect from tonight. Mentally, I’ve tried to p
“It’s alright,” Miles says. “You are doing well.” He reaches his hand out across the table, but he doesn’t grab for mine. I’m not ready to be touched just yet, not while I’m telling this story. I don’t want any memories of touching Miles to intersect with the memories of the orphanage. “Would you
Esther was upset for a few days after. She put on a brave face for the world, acting like everything was fine. She’s a tough woman, even when she doesn’t need to be. Like when she’s with Miles. Yet even with him, she says that she’s fine, or that she just needs some distraction. She’ll claim to le
Edward Zimmer stands near the fountain, holding high his flute of champagne. He has a sea of supporters around him, hanging on his every word. “It seems as if most of your supporters are hanging out on this side of the room,” Crystal says from beside Miles, pointing him toward the side opposite t
When Esther reaches her parents’ house, she’s relieved to discover that Davis no longer has been instructed to hold her up at the door. After greeting her kindly and taking her coat, he guides her toward the living room, where Mom and Dad are sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Dad’s reading th
The confusion ebbs from Mom and Dad’s faces. They know about Edward, and the horrors he’s responsible for. Thea continues to be perplexed though. We’ve all shielded her in our own ways, me as well. She has her own dark memories, she doesn’t need mine on top of them. “The past is best left where it
I’m not angry that Miles went to see Edward at this event. Surprised, certainly, and I’m not a fan of him having done it behind my back. I fully plan on chewing him out for even attempting that. But. He says he’s met my monster. It’s difficult not to focus on that. “What did you think?” I ask.
It’s cheesy so I laugh a little. He swallows it with a kiss. When we break for air, I suggest, “Maybe we should practice.” “Good idea,” Miles says and lowers me down onto the bed. When I’m with Miles, the bad memories are pushed so far away, it’s like they happened to someone else. When I’m