Page 123 of Free Heart
“So… that’s what happened with Rye,” he says, dully.
Is it? I want to ask because that’s a clear-as-mud explanation to me. But, for now, I decide that maybe he’s right, and this isn’t my business. I don’t want any more crying in my bouldering garage. Not today.
So, I say, “Want to finish that route change for me?”
“Yeah. Good idea.” He gets up and starts back to work.
I remain on the floor, watching as he makes the changes.
I could help. I’m a lot more capable now than I used to be, and I’d even been planning on making these changes on my own. But he needs something to do, and my leg needs a rest. I let him have at it.
“Hey, Lowell,” I say, after another few minutes have passed.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for getting Sejin to the hospital that day.”
“No problem.”
Another few minutes go by. “Lowell?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you helping me with my recovery because it shuts your head up?”
He pauses for a moment. “Yes.”
“Ah. I’ve been wondering why you’re here when you know my ultimate plan and don’t approve of it.”
He grunts.
“But just so you know, if something goes wrong, you couldn’t have stopped it.”
“I know.”
“But your brain doesn’t believe that.”
“Nope.”
As he works, I think our conversation over. Eventually, Idounderstand what happened with Rye. I don’t know the details,and I don’t need to. But if this is what Lowell’s dealing with? I get it.
Rye’s got a lot of trauma of his own. Drowning in another man’s damage isn’t going to help him heal. It’s painful and sad for them both, but I understand.
Sometimes it’s no one’s fault. Sometimes it’s just how it is.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Sejin
“I’ll see youin April, if not sooner,” Dad says, gripping me in a hug beside the line leading to airport security. “Wouldn’t miss your wedding for the world.”
Peggy Jo has wandered off to use the bathroom and grab a snack, giving me and Dad a last moment alone.
“You’ll stand up with me?” I ask.
Dad’s eyes fill, making my own well in response. “I couldn’t think of anything I’d be prouder to do.”
“Dad?” This is it. I gather my courage to do the hard thing.
