Page 26 of Carry On
I made myself run through it again. To ground myself.
Hard floor.
Four walls.
Two windows.
Inside.
Just Lincoln.
No bombs.
No gunfire.
No enemy combatant.
No threats.
Just Lincoln.
“It’s okay.” He smiled, an affection so easy that I envied it. Did he know how beautiful he was when he smiled like that? Easy and unencumbered. Carefree and genuine. “I have to go to work.”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure why he was telling me that.
“I’ll be home…” He paused, clicking his tongue as he thought about it. “I have court today, so… probably around six after everything is said and done. Make yourself at home. Whatever you need, just help yourself to it, okay?”
I nodded because that was a foreign concept. I hadn’t had a home in a long time, and that wasn’t changing. This wasn’t my home. I didn’t belong here.
You don’t belong anywhere,the voice not-so-politely reminded me.
Right as always.
“I’m leaving my personal phone,” Lincoln continued, completely unaware of my sliding spiral. I ran another rough hand through my hair as I turned away from him to glance out the window. The sun was barely up, leaving the sky a pretty shade of pink. I clung to that as I ran through it all again, feeling that my hold on reality was wobbly at best.
Hard floor.
Four walls.
Two windows.
Inside.
Just Lincoln.
No bombs.
No gunfire.
No enemy combatant.
No threats.
Just Lincoln.
Just sweet and gentle Lincoln with his inexplicable desire to help me.
Does he want to help you, or does he pity you?the voice asked.
