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Dale Garrett: So . . . play any good games lately?

Comments:

Kerry Winsor: DALE! Even I know not to post about this!!

Dale Garrett: What? I’m bored and want something to do!

Mark Bell: Come on, man. Jade is in a sensitive place. This isn’t right.

Dale Garrett: What? Did something happen to Jade?

Dale Garrett: Did I miss something again?

There were downsides to living in a small town.

Admitting how often I played his game and then running off meant everyone knew I was upset. After too many concerned messages, I was content to sink into the floor and never be seen again.

The closest I could get was ice cream. I was deep in the freezer aisle getting whatever I could and thought I was alone.

Of course, when I shut the door, Dale was watching.

“So,” he began.

“Watch it.”

“What the hell is going on? I asked about games and everyone jumped down my throat.”

“You don’t know?”

“Not this time.” He sighed. “You okay?”

“Not really.”

“Gabe?”

“Don’t call him that,” I hissed.

“So that’s a yes.” He said it slowly. “If you hit him with a bat, I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

I sighed. I wanted to be angry, I really did. In a way, it would be easier to, but I’d clung to that anger for years.

“Thanks,” I said.

“He really did a number on you, huh?”

“He didn’t do anything. This was all on me.”

“So, what’s gonna happen? Are you guys still on the outs?”

“What’s happening is I’m not doing the same thing I did all those years ago. He’s leaving, and I’m staying away.”

“That sucks,” Dale said and frowned. “I feel like I should say something inspirational here.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Don’t strain yourself.”

“You know, when my wife was alive, she used to say that real love is when you look through the anger and feel what’s underneath.”

“Love doesn’t stop someone from leaving.”