“Why don’t you hang onto them for tonight?” When Ben gave him a questioning look, he added, “We should go to Scooters this evening.”
Ben’s foot dropped to the floor as the air whooshed from his lungs. Jake may as well have punched him. Melanie had loved swing dancing at Scooters. But like everything else, he’d avoided that place for the past year.
Could he face more wonderful, but difficult memories today?
He stood and stepped outside the tack room, as if doing so could help him catch his breath.
Jake stood behind him.
“Do you remember what my dad used to tell us when we got bucked off a horse?”
“Doesn’t matter how far you ride. What matters is that you get back on.” Ben heard Uncle Blake’s voice as he said the words.
“Maybe it’s time to get back on, Ben. I think Melanie would be pleased with your efforts today.”
Ben rolled his shoulders as the weight of indecision rested on them. As painful as it had been, he’d enjoyed the afternoon. It had been wonderful remembering all the incredible moments he’d shared with Melanie. Knowing he’d never share one more single moment with her was painful, but it had felt good talking about Melanie to Amy. He hadn’t done much of that since she died.
He couldn’t ignore the guilt that ate at him for enjoying himself without Melanie by his side. If he went to Scooters, knowing how much she loved to dance, would he be able to handle that much more pain.
Worse, could he handle the guilt if he ended up enjoying himself?
He thought of Paige’s text:Keep putting one foot in front of the other.Surely, she didn’t mean by dancing.
Actually, Paige would be thrilled to know he considered going dancing.
“It’s line night, so there’s no pressure,” Jake said. “Robert and I could come along and entertain Amy, and you can join in if you feel like it.”
Ben groaned. “First Paige, then Amy, and now you. Why are you all so pushy?”
Jake clapped him on the shoulder. “Because we love you, man.”
