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