Page 240 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

I close my eyes.

For one impossible second...it almost feels like she's still here.

The illusion lasts exactly one heartbeat.

Then the silence returns.

Louder than before.

***

A knock at the front door startles me.

I don't move.

Another knock.

Then—

"Walker."

Coach.

Of course. I rub both hands over my face before crossing the room.

When I open the door, Coach studies me for exactly three seconds.

It's enough. He doesn't ask how I am. He already knows. Without waiting for an invitation, he steps inside.

"I brought sandwiches."

I blink. "What?"

He lifts a paper bag. "I figured somebody should make sure you eat."

For reasons I can't explain...

that almost undoes me.

Coach sets the bag on the counter.

Neither of us reaches for it.

Neither of us says anything.

Finally...

He looks at me.

Very quietly, he says,

"I’m so sorry Jamie."

I nod once.

The words scrape against my throat. "She heard me."

Coach waits.