Page 126 of Everything Has Changed
I missed the sound of his voice when he just woke up, the smell of skin when I rolled over to cuddle in the middle of the night, the comfort of his arms when he wrapped them around me. But what I missed the most was how he felt like the missing piece I never realized wasn’t there.
Now I realize. Now I can feel the emptiness of the space he wormed himself into with every breath I take.
I wondered how he was going to take it when this request for a town meeting landed on his desk later today.
A soft knock on the office door has me raising my head and smiling when I see it’s Ophelia.
“Are you ready to send it?” she nods toward the document in my hand as she takes the seat across from me.
“I think so.” I stare at it for another moment before looking back up at her. “Do you think they are right? Am I the right voice for them?”
“Sweetheart, I couldn’t have found a better person myself.”
I harrumph into my chair. “I forgot you’re biased.”
She laughs. “Maybe, but it’s also the truth. All of those people trust you for good reason. You have a wonderful head on your shoulders and you are good at making people listen.”
“Some people, maybe,” I mutter. “The one in particular I need to hear me out, not so much.”
Ophelia hums in a disagreeing tone. “I don’t know about that, Gwen.”
“Do you know something I don’t?”
She shakes her head. “Just my grandma sense tingling. Besides, I saw that boy with you. I watched with my own two eyes how much he cares about you.”
“If you’re talking about that day after the hospital, may I remind you that you were high on pain medicine.”
“They were good, but not that good. Have you even tried to talk to him since then?”
I shake my head.
“If that’s what you want, I will support you. But as the owner of the house you have been basically haunting all week, closure might be good for you. Might clear up some uncertainties.”
“I am as certain as I can be, Grandma. He omitted the truth many times over. He also made me fall for him even after he knew there was no future for us.”
She squints at me. “That’s an awfully bold statement for someone so young. No future? That’s nonsense.” Ophelia sighs when I stare at her. “But I guess I get it. Just make sure you don’t deadbolt a door andthrow away the key when there might be a chance you want to reopen it again.”
“Stop being so wise,” I groan.
“I guess there are always bolt cutters. Could be a good Christmas present for you this year.”
“Did you need something or did you just come in here to antagonize me?”
“Actually,” she pops to her feet. “There’s a reporter here that asked to speak to you.”
“Me?” I squeak out.
“Yes, you. And it’s not Ronnie from the Gazette, either. Come on out when you’re ready. I’ll set them up with a coffee while they wait.”
Pulling out the compact I keep in the drawer of the desk, I rub the mascara smudges from under my eyes and fluff my hair a little. It’s the best I can do after sitting in here all day stressing over the request I was to present at town hall this afternoon.
Stepping into the dining room, I catch Ophelia’s eyes who points toward the couch along the side wall. A familiar man sits poised with a pen and paper, already jotting down a pad full of words that has my mouth going dry as I approach.
“Mitch?” He raises his gaze up to meet mine with a wide toothy grin. “You’re a reporter?”
“All my life,” he chuckles. “I guess it’s time for an official introduction. Mitchell Shephard, lead reporter with theState Chronicle.” He gestures toward the open spot in the couch next to him. “Please, have a seat. We have some things to discuss. I’ve been hearing a lot about you the last few days.”
“You have? I hope all good things.”
