Page 37 of Smitty

My words hung between us, making the air feel even heavier. He looked out across the water, watching the waves crash along the bank, and after a moment, he turned back to me and said, “You’re not leaving me.”

“It feels like I am.”

“No, you’re just going to finish what you started.” His voice was quiet but certain. “It’s what your parents want, and…”

“My parents can get over it.”

“This isn’t about them.”

“Then, what is it about?”

“You,” he answered. “This is something you’ve always wanted, and there’s no way I’m going to let you give up on your dream. You've worked too damn hard to walk away now.”

“I can find somewhere closer… I could do it online.”

“It isn’t the same.”

“I want to be here with you.”

His jaw flexed, and I thought I was getting through to him. And then, he hit me with the hardest punch yet. “I’m not going anywhere, Brooke. I’ll be here when you get done, and then, we can start our lives together without any regrets.”

He smiled, but there was sadness hiding behind it. This was going to be hard on him, too, but deep down, I knew he was right. I needed to do this. So, I let out a breath and said, “You promise you’ll wait for me?”

“Absolutely. Nothing could take me away.”

“I’m scared.”

He took my hand in his and inched a little closer. “I love you, Brooke.”

“I know, but…”

“I wasn’t done,” he interrupted. “I love you too damn much to let you throw away your dreams because you’re worried about me. You’re not going to lose me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.” I started to tear up when he said, “I’ll call every night, and I’ll come see you every chance I get. And you’ll come home on breaks, and we can even email. Whatever it takes.”

I nodded.

“We’ll figure it out.” He used the pad of his thumb to brush my tears away. “This thing we got… it isn’t gonna disappear because you’re at some school two hours away. We’re more than that.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“And you’ll always answer when I call.”

“I still gotta work, but yeah, I’ll answer when I can.”

“And you’ll really visit?”

“Every chance I get.”

“You won’t forget me?”

“I couldn’t if I tried.” He leaned forward until his forehead rested against mine. “I love you… You’re my girl. No way, I’m going to ever forget you or what we have.”

“Okay.”