Page 87 of Lovestrung

She understood me, but I feared what it meant. I was afraid of placing my trust – my heart – in her hands. I was scared of giving that much power to one single person, even her.

So, I wouldn’t – couldn’t do that.

Maybe one day I’d have the courage to tell her all of this, but tonight wasn’t the right time.

“Ethan?”

Vivian’s soft voice pulled my thoughts back to the present, and I half turned to acknowledge her.

“What are you doing out here all alone?” she asked as she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. Her kind eyes scanned my face when she stopped next to me.

I shrugged, not wanting to voice that I’d been lost in the past for who knows how long.

“Just needed a bit of quiet, that’s all.”

She nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. She looked up at the treehouse and sighed. “Yeah, I understand. You’ve always needed that, haven’t you?”

I nodded. “And you always gave me that.” I jerked my head back at the house. “You and your family.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s your family, too, Ethan. No matter what happens, please don’t forget that.”

“I’ll try not to.” I gave her a crooked smile.

She shook her head, frowning at me. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Set yourself aside the rest of us,” she huffed. “Henry and me…we’ve always tried so hard to make sure you understood how loved you are. Did we fail?”

I turned my back to the treehouse and to the past and shook my head.

“Of course not. You gave me a home – a normal life – after my mom died. How can you even think you’ve failed?”

Her lips trembled in the darkening light. “Because you shut yourself away.” She grabbed my arms and peered hard into my eyes. “Don’t shut down. Don’t hide from us. Please? You’re so young still…you deserve happiness, like we all do, and each time I see you, it feels like you’ve locked your heart away in a vault a little bit more. If you’re not careful, one day you’ll wake up alone, and you won’t be able to turn the key to unlock it.”

“I don’t understand.” I forced the words through my lips.

Another lie. I knew what she meant, but I didn’t have the courage to admit it.

She narrowed her eyes at me, her gaze not wavering from mine for a long time. “Stubborn boy. It seems like I’m surrounded by them.”

I grinned down at her. “Vivian, I…”

“Just promise me you’ll think about what I’ve said, honey? I know how goal-oriented you are – it’s a fine quality to see in a young man – but don’t forget to live while you’re out there, chasing your dreams. Life is more than hard work.”

“Oh, yeah?” I teased. “Like what?”

She leaned closer, her smile so alike her daughter’s, it was uncanny.

“It’s about finding your own happiness.” She nodded once. “It’s about seizing every good thing that comes into your path with both hands, and never letting go of them.” She took a step and looked back at the house, a calculating glint in her eyes. “And if you do that, your dreams will come true.”

I looked at her, frowning as my thoughts veered off to my girl enjoying her party. “All my dreams?” I muttered.

“Yes, honey. Work hard at them, believe in them, and in yourself, and they’ll happen. And, who knows?”

I sensed her eyes and raised my eyebrows in question.

“What?”