Clarity Of The Other Man
outine had become a delicate balance between staying busy and avoiding the memories that still threatened to consume her. Work provided a brief dis
o breathe, a chance to move forward. It was nothing more than friendship-she had made that clear-but it was more than she had expected. He didn't push her
ch by the river now a symbol of something new, something she wasn't ready to name yet. Caleb did
ng in every direction. The sound of rushing water beneath the bridge was calming, but the stillness in her chest remained. She hadn't heard from Jackson s
ove on, and every time she thought about calling him back, something
miliar figure appeared on the path, his hands in his pockets, hi
as though he had no idea how much she ha
, shifting over to giv
mfortable distance between them
k." She didn't elaborate. Work had become the safe zone, the place wh
thoughtful. "You know, I've been
on slipped out before she could stop i
.. you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. What you've been through, it
ds didn't come. She didn't feel strong. She
ice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm fallin
g a hand on hers. The warmth of his touch sent a ripple of comfort throu
ll the answers right now. It's okay to not know who you are. Some
linking back the tears that were always just beneath the surface. "I don't know if I c
hat doesn't mean you won't be whole again. You'll find a new versi
he hadn't realized how desperately she had needed to hear those words, how m
ce trembling. "It's hard to let go of the life
et that. I do. But sometimes, the future we imagine isn't the one we're meant to have. Someti
ds had begun to part, letting the sun peek through, warming her face. She let the rays was
aleb. "Why are you always here? I'm sure you've got better
mind listening. And I guess I come here beca
ing inside her. "Lost? I didn't think you'd... I m
bit of a mess, too." He paused, clearly weighing something
out him. He had been a steady presence in her life for the past few
turning distant for a moment. "But it's complicat
understand that healing wasn't just about moving forward, it was about pat
aves and the distant murmur of the river providing a steady rhythm. The world aro
rms overhead. "I have to go," he said reluct
irst real smile she had fe
ression unreadable. "Good.
swirling. For the first time in a long while, she felt like the pieces of herself were starting to come toge
of the past. Maybe it was