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Bryce has called me every night this week, but I refuse to answer and listen to what he has to say. He didn’t even have the nerve to look me in the eyes and say goodbye when I left. I have nothing to say to him.
I’m back home, and the summer is over. I need to move forward, and put everything behind me.
“What are the boxes for?” Jenny gestures to the stack of flattened cardboard leaning against the wall.
“I’m going to get rid of Mom’s things.”
“Char, are you sure? Maybe it’s too soon.”
I glance around the apartment, and shake my head. “I’m ready. I’ve decided what I want to keep, and what I can donate. I can’t keep living in a state of grief, surrounded by loss. I need to clean up, and get my life in order.”
“So, then let’s purge, baby.” Jenny springs up and claps. “I’ll set up the tunes.”
“You don’t have to help me. I’m sure you have better things to do with your day off.”
“You’re not doing this alone.” She yanks me off the couch. “Plus, I want to raid your mom’s closet before you donate it. That baddie had style.”
I laugh, and it feels good. I miss it.
I miss smiling the way I did this summer.
I miss swimming in the pool.
I miss Edward’s sweet face.
I miss Beatrice’s hugs.
I miss him.
But I can feel that happy again. I just need to try. I have my new bucket list, and I’m not going to lie down because a boy broke my heart. I promised Mom I’d live my life to the fullest, and that’s what I’m going to do.
Jenny blasts the music, and we spend the afternoon belting out our favorite cheesy boyband songs.
And for a little while, I forget about my troubles.
Bryce
“Hey, football star.”
I smirk as I make my way to the circle of familiar faces. “You know I hate when you call me that.”
Steve grins, rocking back in his wheelchair. “Which is exactly why I call you that.”
“Still popping wheelies, I see.” I clasp his outstretched hand, and give it a firm shake. “How’ve you been?”
“You know me.” He spreads his arms out wide. “Living the dream.”
I met Steve when I first moved into the inn with Nana. After leaving the spinal unit back in Boston, my therapist suggested I look for a spinal injury support group so I could further my progress. One-on-one therapy was helpful, but it was even more helpful to talk with people who have actually been in my shoes. Nana’s reminder that people are doing more with less than what I’ve been given is what led me to the group today. I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to come back.
“It’s good to see you again, Bryce.” Harold lifts his curled fingers from his armrest, and I bump my knuckles against his.
“It’s good to be back. I’ve missed you all.”
“Oh, no.” Pete takes a few wobbly steps toward me, rolling his walker across the rubber mat covering the sand. “It must be bad if you’re missing this motley crew.”
I chuckle. “What, I can’t come back just to say hi?”
Steve arches a brow. “Have you ever come back to say hi?”
