Page 41 of The Sculptor

Yeah, she does. Especially when she’s not trying to be a proper congressman’s daughter.

Me: I distinctly remember the time I thought pigs had invaded the den, only to realize you were watching an episode of “Friends”.

Sunny Ray: Have you had too much to drink with Langston? Is that why you’re suddenly so social?

I can feel the bitterness from here. I love it.

Me: Maybe. Maybe I just wanted to know you missed me.

Sunny Ray: Duke.

Me: Ray.

Sunny Ray: What do you want me to say? That I really do miss you. That I’ve missed you since the day they split us up.

I swallow.Yes, that’s exactly what I want to know. But more than that…

Me: I want to know if you’ve forgiven me.

Her response takes longer this time, and something swirls in my gut—fear. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to call her since that winter. I tried. But every time, I feared what her father would say if he caught her speaking to me.

And then I just feared whatshewould say.

Once she went home alone.

Did she blame me?

I did.

I should have known that two kids couldn’t deliver a baby on their own in some abandoned cabin with only the internet as a guide.

But we believed we could do anything back then.

It was us against the world.

We thought that, with enough planning and our collective knowledge, we could get through anything. Even lying to our parents that we had the abortion.

So, we ran away and lived off odd jobs.

We would have our baby and be a family like we always dreamed.

But that winter, I killed our dream.

Ramsey trusted me to keep them safe.

And I failed her.

I couldn’t live with myself. I expected the same reaction from her.

I feared hearing the words come from her lips. Lips that I loved. Lips that read books to our son and sang hymns in the blistering cold.

I deserved to be hated. I still do. But I need to know if there’s a possibility that she could set me free.

I need to know if she forgives me for killing our souls.

Glancing at my phone, I see her response, and something like a sob catches in my throat.

Sunny Ray: I never blamed you. I loved you.

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