AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hesitate before answering. I’ve never thought about the situation like that. “Probably. We were teenagers, and someone we knew had died. For many of us, that was our first experience with death.”
She jots something in her notebook. “Are you still in touch with any of them?”
“Of course. Some of them are my friends.”
“And these friends are no longer angry with you about Bert’s death?”
I shrug. “I guess not. We never talk about it.”
“So they’ve forgiven you?”
My eyes go wide. “I see where you’re going with this. If they’ve forgiven me, why can’t I forgive myself?”
“You have to give yourself permission. And you will in time.” Clemmy leans in closer to me. “Who are you the angriest at, Will?”
“My mother.” The realization strikes me so hard my head jerks back. “She didn’t believe me. She insisted we settle the civil suit.”
“Which was the same as an admission of your guilt,” Clemmy says in a somber tone.
A kilowatt lightbulb blinks on inside my head. “Exactly. No wonder I hated her so much.” I get to my feet and walk over to railing. “So many things in my life suddenly make sense. All these years, my anger has prevented me from seeing the forest for the trees.”
“You were treated unfairly by many people. And you were just a kid. Even though Bert’s parents were hurting, they should’ve given you a chance to apologize.” Clemmy comes to stand beside me. “You did good work here today. You’ve identified the source of your anger, and you can now begin the process of healing.”
I lower my head as I turn towards her. “How do I do that?”
“One step at a time.”
TWENTY-ONE
JULIA
We make it through the weekend with no attempted break-ins. While I’m confident we’re out of immediate danger, since I can’t explain how the dishes got in the dishwasher, I continue about my life with a heightened sense of awareness.
On Tuesday morning, after completing Courtney’s training, I receive my certification, and I’m ready to apply for a concealed weapon permit. I drive straight from the shooting range to city hall and fill out the paperwork. If approved, my permit will arrive via mail in ninety days. Three months seems like an eternity to wait when the boogeymen are after you.
I haven’t heard from Will, and I wonder whether he regrets kissing me. I sent the wrong impression by freaking out. He took me by surprise, and I wasn’t prepared. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the kiss. Way more than I should have.
I’m disappointed when Ashton, instead of Will, calls to invite us to Sophie’s birthday party on Saturday. So he’s not interested in me after all. While the kiss meant nothing to him, I’m unable to forget the feel of Will’s lips on mine. I continue to use my attraction to him as inspiration for my novel. I’m completing the first draft in record time, and I hope to be done by the end of the week.
Using my pen name, I place an order for the cover with my old designer. If all goes as planned, I’ll launch Sweet Temptation by Bebe Bloom in mid-January.
Conrad is thrilled about attending Sophie’s birthday party, and when we go shopping at the toy store on Main Street on Saturday morning, he spends an inordinate amount of time choosing her gift. He finally settles on a stuffed bassett hound he names Baxter.
“Shouldn’t you let Sophie choose the name?” I say as we wait in line at checkout.
He holds the dog up close to my face. “But he looks like a Baxter.”
“How do you know it’s a he? I think she looks like a Daisy.”
He studies the dog. “I can see that. I guess you’re right. We should let Sophie decide.”
I smile at him. “I think that’s wise.”
We arrive home to find Fry waiting in the driveway. He comes around to my side of the car, opening the door for me. “There you are. I was getting worried.”
“We were at the toy store picking out a birthday gift. What’s up?”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by for the rent.”
