He studies me, his eyes intense. “I think you’re the one person that I’ve always been set on. And I think that’s why I fucked up so badly.”
I bite my cheek. “Do you—do you think you’d mess up again?”
He shakes his head, but I hate how doubt settles onto my shoulders, the breeze rattling my skull.
As much as I’ve loved all of this, I don’t think I can go through what happened again.
We watch the ocean crash against the sand for a while before we both run out of hot chocolate to warm us. Cooper stands, offering his hand.
I take it gently, a little more cautious in the moment than I was hours ago.
I’ve learned to trust him again. He’s won me over.
But I think I need to make sure that my heart is set on this, too. Cooper knows what it feels like to be abandoned, whether he lets it in his heart or not.
Even as kids, he never spoke of his father.
But losing his mom young was hard on him. Losing Grandpa Kenny, though, seemed to be the final string that caused him to unwind.
I need to make sure I’m not going to hurt him, too.
CHAPTER 42
AMARA
December, 2014
I’m in my dorm, scrolling on social media, when I see it.
I haven’t talked to Natalia in a long time. Not since Cooper just stopped talking to me, leaving me in the dust.
I’m not sure if it’s because I wish she’d reach out to me, or because I know that the second I talk to her, I’m going to ask what happened, but it hurts my heart all the same.
“Oh my god,” I whisper.
My roommate stirs, her head whipping up. “What’s up?”
They couldn’t have told me?
Tears spill down my cheeks as I open the link, reading the obituary.
“My best friend’s grandpa passed away,” I tell her, my shoulders slumping the more I read.
Kennith A. Henry passed away in his home with his grandkids at the age of 85.
Born and raised in Dewey Beach, Delaware, Kenneth attended high school, where he met the love of his life.He loved going to football games, walking on the beach, and hanging out with his friends.
Kennith loved his two grandkids fiercely and was elated when his grandson, Cooper Henry, was accepted into Notre Dame on a football scholarship.
He was blessed to have his granddaughter, Natalia, with him in his final years, helping make his life as normal as possible.
Kenneth was well-loved by his community and will be deeply missed.
Kenneth was predeceased by his wife, Lily, his brother, Fred, and his daughter, Ellen. He is survived by his grandchildren Cooper and Natalia Henry.
A viewing will be held at Miranda E. Cole Family Funeral Home on Thursday, December 12th, from 4 to 7 pm.
The tears flow freely.
