Page 83 of The Image of You

“I promised. The sooner I go back and fulfill my word, the sooner I’m done.”

“You’ll be careful?”

I let the call go to voice mail. Holding her face between my hands, I nodded. “Yes.”

“Vivian wants me to go back to work as well.”

“We have to move forward. Get through the next few weeks and then we can start our new life together. We can do this, right?”

She nodded, although her eyes were sad. “Right.”

* * *

Weeks later, her eyes were more than sad. For the first time ever, the words I had dreaded ever hearing were spoken out loud.

“Don’t go,” she pleaded. “Please, Adam, don’t go.”

I stilled in the task of packing my equipment, shutting my eyes at the level of desperation in her voice. I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. She had never asked me not to leave. Not once.

“It’s the last time.”

“That’s what you said before—and the time before that.”

I turned to face her.

She was right.

The trip to Africa had been postponed while details were worked out and paperwork procured. Now, two weeks past the time I should have been returning, I was just leaving. In addition, I was going for an extra week. Massive storms had torn through the entire country, setting off wildfires and causing devastation everywhere. Sean wanted as much of it documented as we could get. Chris and Tommy were coming with me, and then we would meet with Larry, the man writing the article, and do the feature.

It was my last assignment. But with the additional time waiting and the strange weather around the world, I had barely been home since Elena’s passing. Ally and I would reconnect for a short interval, then once again, I’d be gone, leaving her behind. Each time, it got harder.

She tried to be brave and strong, but I knew it was getting too much for her. She missed Elena terribly, her grief overwhelming her at times. She cried a lot, and she was too thin. Our time together was permeated in sadness, and we were both argumentative and tense.

“This is it. I promise. I’ll finish this and come home to you.” I stepped forward, holding out my hand in supplication. “Then I’m done.”

“Are you?”

I frowned. “Yes. You know that.”

“No, I don’t. You keep finding excuses to leave.”

Excuses?

“I can’t help the weather conditions, Ally,” I said, beginning to feel impatient. “You knew what I did when we started—what my life was like. You know this is the last assignment. What the hell is going on?”

“Are you really ready to give this up, Adam? Are you regretting your decision?”

I stared at her, aghast. That was what she thought? She was doubting me? Doubting us?

“No,” I snapped. “I don’t regret anything, except your lack of faith. I said I would go, and I’m sorry for the extra time, but I gave my word.”

Her voice became angry, her eyes flashing. “What about your word to me? To Elena? You said you’d stop!”

“I will. I know the schedule got fucked up, but it’s almost done, Ally. What the hell else can I do?”

“I don’t know if I believe you! You keep leaving me alone, Adam.” Her voice rose. “I hate it!”

Shock and disbelief coursed through me. I had never heard her raise her voice or speak with so much venom. Ever.