Page 48 of The Edge Of Us

"I’m going to miss you."

I stood and pulled her into a hug. She clung to me tightly, resting her head on my shoulder like a child. "You’re my best friend, Corinne. For real."

"You’re mine too, Brit," I whispered. "You really are."

She pulled back slightly, eyes shimmering. "You’re gonna come back and visit, right? I mean... I know it’s a hospital, but it’s our hospital."

"Every week if I can," I promised. "And when you get out next month, we’re getting waffles. Like the real, greasy, syrup-drenched kind."

Her smile was small but genuine. "With strawberries."

"Obviously."

Behind her, Tate and Sylvia walked in. Sylvia was wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. Tate, ever the stoic one, tried to act like he wasn’t about to cry.

"Well," Tate said, clearing his throat, "I guess this is it."

"Tate," I stepped forward, hugging him tightly. "You’ve saved me more times than I can count."

"That’s what friends are for," he muttered, voice gruff.

Sylvia hugged me next, a long, tight embrace. "You taught me how to forgive myself. You gave me something to believe in, Corinne. Thank you."

My heart cracked. "You all saved me too. Each of you."

We all stood there in the middle of my room, holding on to each other like the pieces of ourselves we never thought we’d get back. Then Brittany stepped forward, hand in mine.

"You have to ring the bell."

We walked together to the main hallway. The staff lined the sides, smiling, some already teary. That damn brass bell hung on the wall, shining like a beacon.

I stared at it for a long moment.

And then I rang it.

The sound was loud and clear, echoing through the hall. My hand trembled after. I turned to see Brittany clapping, a wide, childish grin on her face.

“You did it!” she beamed.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yeah... I did."

The entrance of the facility was quieter than I expected. The sun was high, and there was a light breeze. I stepped outside, my heart pounding in my chest.

Then I saw them.

Kyle was running toward me, his little legs pumping as fast as they could go. “Mommy!” he screamed, launching into my arms.

I caught him, holding him close as I wept into his hair.

“Oh, baby. I missed you so much. So, so much.”

“I missed you too, Mommy,” he sniffled. “Are you better now?”

I nodded, choking back a sob. “I’m getting there. And I’m never leaving you again."

Astrid was in my mother’s arms, reaching out. My mom approached slowly, tears in her eyes.

“She’s been saying ‘mama’ all morning,” she said softly.

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