Weak piece of shit.
"I… I think I need to do counselling," Emily whispered into the quiet. "And not just for the head injury. But for… for this." She gestured at the diaries. "And for us too."
I nodded.
"I don't remember hating our life or the slow decline of our relationship. But I need time to process and to appreciate and learn to love who I am now. I need time to come to terms with our reality and to work out who you are now, too."
I brushed hairs away from her cheek. "You always were the smarter one."
She smiled, but it faded quickly. "Can we come back from this? Can we find our way back?"
I didn't rush my answer. I didn't want to give her platitudes or make her feel that I didn't take her, us or our life together seriously.
"Yeah, I know we can." I pulled her closer. "Leaving you was the hardest fucking thing I ever did."
"But you left because I called your sister fat."
"I left because you did that and then didn't take ownership of the hurt it caused." That day was seared into my soul.
"I wish I could remember," Em whispered. "I want to apologise to Honey."
"If you want, I could invite them over for dinner." I offered, knowing it would cost Honey to come but hoping it might repair their relationship.
"I'd like that."
I nodded once, sealing the deal. She settled in my arms, quiet and pensive.
We stayed that way for a long time, sharing air and warmth. I couldn't recall the last time we'd done this, just been together.
"Cal?"
"Mm?"
"I hate this house."
I barked out a laugh, pulling back and groaning when I found that my ass had gone numb.
"I'm serious," Emily told me, her cheeky grin in place. "It's like some kind of white hells cape."
"It's not that bad," I chuckled.
"It is," she insisted. “It's a clinical iceberg of nothing. I get a headache just looking at it each day."
"Are you sure the headache isn't from your injury?" I teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Too soon."
"You want to go to Home Depot?"
"What, now?"
I shrugged. "Why not. They're open late. We could get some paint. At least splash something on the walls of the bedroom to help you stop questioning your sanity."
Her smile was glorious. "Can we get some burgers on the way home?"
"Oh shit," I laughed. "You won't remember the Bronze Horseman."
"The what?" Em tilted her head to the side, her hair sliding off her shoulder.
