Page 156 of How You See Me
“Yep. I could pick you up from school and take you to dinner. We could go on weekend trips or vacations together.” I squeeze her hand. “We could have sleepovers.”
“Deal. When can we start?”
My chest swells with hope. This feels right. “Well, that depends.”
“On what?”
“On you accomplishingmylist.”
The table has turned on her, and she quickly realizes it. Eager anticipation gives her an energy surge. “What do I have to do?”
“First, you have to kick cancer’s butt.”
“Already working on it.”
Her quick wit makes me smile, but it doesn’t last despite my attempts to hold it in place. She still has an uphill fight ahead of her. “And you will because you’re tough.”
“Like you. What else?”
“Paint a rock for me to keep as a lucky charm.”
“Why do you need luck?”
“My boss isn’t my biggest fan, and he’ll be ready to show me all my shortcomings when I get back.”
“He’s mean to you?” Her lips, too dry for my liking, pinch into a hard frown.
I reach for the cup of water on the table and hold the straw in front of her. She drinks without question.
“That’s not the description I’d use, but I’m not going to say it in front of you.”
“Is it a bad word?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Then, I'm glad you’re leaving. I bet he’ll miss you when you’re gone.”
“I doubt it.”
“Will you miss being a soldier?”
I bite back the cringe my body has in response to that innocent question. Marines aren’t soldiers. They’re Marines, period. Soldiers belong to the Army. But that’s alesson for another day. “I’ll miss some things—my friends, the challenge, the purpose it gives me. But I didn’t realize how miserable I’ve been until I got away from it.”
“I knew.”
“That’s because you’re not only tough, you’re smart, too. You were very clever with your scheme.”
A little pink hue appears on her cheeks—a gift for my tattered soul. “Is that all on your list?”
“One more thing. I need your help making something for Josie.”
“Really?” Her eyes widen. “What is it?”
Taking her hand, I lean in. “Can you keep a secret?”
She nods.
“We’ll need all the art supplies you’ve got.”
