“Unfortunately, yeah.”
“I was bogged down by thoughts, problems. And…”
“And, what?”
“Just knowing that she went like that.”
It’s the first time I’ve ever voiced that thought. I wasn’t in love with her – I never had been – but the way she just disappeared hit me hard. It’s not easy seeing a young, beautiful woman, so full of life, fade into a shadow of herself. She suffered, then shrunk away altogether in the space of just a few months, right in front of her own daughter; and she couldn’t do anything to avoid it.
Tyler places his hand on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for them. I’m sorry for being the guy I always have been.”
“What guy is that?”
“A stupid, selfish bastard.”
Tyler smiles, and I mirror him, in spite of myself.
“What’sreallyup?”
“By this point, I have no idea. I came here to get away from everything, to find some clarity. But I’m even more confused than before.”
“I’m sorry I can’t help you.”
“What have you got to do with it?”
“I’m your only friend.”
“True. And you set me up.”
“I told you: I never put two and two together.”
“How?”
“You never told me which school your daughter was applying to.”
“True, but…”
“It could’ve been in another town; you never mentioned the Abbey.”
I scoff. He’s right. Besides, getting pissed off at him won’t help me – although I can’t shrug off the feeling that he’s enjoying all this, at my expense.
“I think you should make other friends. You know, maybe reach out to some of the others, now that you’re here.”
“I don’t think that’s the best idea.”
“It’s a small town, but it’s a community. Everyone wants to help – they might surprise you. And if you start to become part of the community, they might help Skylar, too.”
I have to admit, I hadn’t thought of that.
“Just like a place at that school would help her.”
“You think I should accept it, don’t you?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think, Niall. What matters is that it’s the right thing to do.”
