Page 69 of Double Edged Hearts
“I won’t be, Alex. I promise. I won’t. I want to do what I want, something that will make me proud for a change, not somebody else. I just want to be me.”
I feel proud of her for coming to that conclusion.
“I guess we have… a lot then to think about,” I note.
“Yeah, we do. But, we can do it together.” She smiles and despite the turmoil roiling within me, warmth surrounds my heart.
That day we found each other was the day we belonged to each other and became family.
“We do it together,” I agree.
She rests back against me, and I try to think of the dream. She’s mine. She agreed to be mine.
I think of that future I want with her and it’s beautiful.
Me and the girl I love.
Since I can’t shake the feeling that shit may follow us here, I think it’s best we plan to leave soon.
I’ll start organizing something tomorrow.
* * *
It’s night again. Today was productive. We went into town to get some things to take with us. We’ll leave in the morning and head across to Idaho to stay with some people I know.
We’re in the kitchen again, making lasagna. Cora insisted on cooking this time.
“I like it here, Alex… I don’t see why we can’t stay here.” She pouts as she stirs the béchamel sauce.
“Cora, baby. I think there’s no harm in being too careful. We stayed long enough. We can head to Idaho and wait it out until we hear back from Richard. That’s the safest thing to do.”
“I would have loved to explore around here a little more.” She gives me a shy smile.
“We’ll come back another time.”
“That would be great. I’ll call Richard tomorrow just to check in, and then that’s it, I guess.”
“Yeah. No phones after.”
I walk over to her and give her a kiss. “Are you okay?”
She nods, and while she seems alright, I know she’s like me. She wants this to be over and done with.
“I want to curl up with you by the fire and eat dinner,” she says with a smile.
“That means I better go get some logs.”
I managed to gather a few when we got back. There are more in the clearing outside.
“Oh, don’t go into the woods.” She frowns.
“Baby, if you want a log fire, I’ve got to go get it. I’ll be about ten, fifteen minutes tops. I won’t go far.”
“Okay. This will be ready a little after, then.”
“Cool.” I kiss the top of her forehead and leave her.
I admit the woods look creepy as fuck at this hour. I wouldn’t bring her out here for anything. The lake too, beautiful as it is, has that eerie horror film vibe, and I wouldn’t be idiot enough not to bring my gun out with me.
