Page 131 of Five for Silver

“It’s only been a few weeks since—

“Two weeks and five days,” Chad said. “Doyou remember what I told you Vincent said to me when I firstvisited him?”

Keeley’s mouth opened. She glanced at hernotebook. “I probably wrote—”

“He said if I denied him his time, he’dpoison mine.” Chad snorted down at his hands. “Two weeks and fivedays is how long it took for the world to turn on me.”

“The world isn’t against you, Chad.”

“It feels like it.”

“The bullies of the world just shout theloudest, but they are by no means the majority.”

“I only know three people that are on myside.”

“Four.” Keeley’s gaze cut him. It softened.“And one very loveable dog.”

Merc looked up at her, smacked his lipstogether, then resumed gnawing his treat.

“Four people and one Merc,” Chad sighed. Heclosed his eyes. “Sorry, it’s just…Vincent swore he’d poison mylife, and I feel it, I feel the effects of it. I’m tired. I’munmotivated. I’m depressed. I feel … unwell. And I don’t know howto make it better. I worry that I’ll just make the people around mesick, too.”

“Stop that,” Keeley interrupted. “You’vebeen through so much, Chad. It’s only been two weeks and five dayssince … since everything changed for you. It’ll take time. Thebullies and the trolls will lose interest, and you’ll be able tomove on and start a new chapter. Don’t let Vincent Whitehall win.Don’t be one of his victims.”

“I won’t be.” He nodded to himself.“Everything is just a lot right now.”

“It’s okay to take a break.”

“That’s what Frank keeps saying.”

Keeley smiled again. “He’s a wise man.”

“Taking a break feels kind of like runningaway.”

“What’s wrong with running away?”

Chad frowned.

Keeley shrugged. “If you were running awayfrom a lion would that be considered cowardly?”

“No.”

“No,” she agreed. “Fighting that lion headon while you’re tired and sick would be considered foolish. Getaway for a while. Turn off the TV, switch off your phone, and beyou, Chad. Come back stronger. Come back healthy … that’s if youwant to come back at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t have to fight the lion. Thisplace … it holds so many bad memories. You don’t have to stay here.You can let go. You can move on.”

“People will think—”

“Why do you care so much what people think?Why do you value their opinions over your own happiness? You havethis idea that your worth only comes from others—without theirapproval, you’re worthless. It’s an unhealthy mindset that you needto work on.”

“I know.”

Merc finished his rawhide and sat up. Heeyeballed Keeley, begging for more.

“Greedy boy,” she laughed.

“At least he took his time today.” Chadsaid. He grabbed Merc’s lead off the couch.

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