Hadley
He’s not married or with someone?
It’d been one of the risks I was taking. That I’d get here, and he would have long moved on. I wanted that for him—joy—but I also knew it would have devastated me.
Me
No. He’s single. And I think kind of a recluse. Quiet and reserved. Though I think he maybe has people he knows here.
I knew what he’d been about to say earlier. There were people here he considered family. That was right before shame took him over. As if he thought he was committing a sin for loving. A crime for finding something in the ashes.
Hadley
Wow. I can’t believe it.
Me
He’s letting us stay with him.
Hadley
Did you think he wouldn’t? He was always obsessed with you.
Me
I would hardly call him obsessed.
Hadley
Pssh. The boy was smitten.
I’d thought so. For one moment in time. Before that moment was ripped away.
Me
He’s different now. Harder.
Hadley
Are you having second thoughts?
Me
No. But I’m not sure he’ll agree.
Hadley
You already asked him?
Me
Yeah. He was…
I hesitated before I sent another text.
Me
Terrified by the idea, I think. But he promised he would protect us.
