Page 42 (1/2)

"I love you," I cry, sprinkling the soil in on the black box "I’ll come visit you all the time, I prooodbye I seek Mom out, she’s surrounded by loved ones and family members, thankfully they’ve already expressed their condolences toDad’s death sucks It’s all one huge, exhausting process that offers no privacybut it does offer closure and that’s better, I suppose

I walk off a little bit to catch o back toto be able to afford y else to be paid on it every few months I can’t afford it Mom will be forced to look for a job, but no one will hire her She hasn’t worked in over thirty years--not exactly an asset I exhale and sit on the grass, watching the beautiful, night time ceremony in name of my father

"Can I sit?" Blade’s voice startles me I didn’t even see hi of the cere time

"Sure"

He sits next to hin his hand and I take it, sing a large e noise at the base of my throat Blade chuckles "You never could handle your alcohol"

I laugh once "That’s okay, you drank enough for the both of us"

His diaze "I really fucked up, didn’t I?"

Yes, you did This whole thing with Seth started because I wanted to get back at Blade Now look, we’re in love, more in love than I have ever been "You tell iven so many chances" Blade shakes his head "You held on for as long as you could, I don’t blaful conversations with exes seems toHowever, I still appreciate his realization Maybe he’ll treat the next girl better

"Do you love him?" There’s bitterness in his tone, but I can’t not answer the question, not when I know the answer

"Yes, absolutely"

"And him? Does he love you back?"

I bit back a smile I can’t help it I smile whenever I talk about Seth or the fact that he loves hs and forces himself to his feet "Then I’ve definitely lost Take care of yourself" He strolls away from me

Seth passes by Blade on his way over toand I’ all the way over here all alone together

"There’s so I need to tell you" He extends his hand to me and I take it as he pulls s out of his jacket and places it overme anxious, what is it?"

"I’ve spoken to you o ahead, but I want to talk to you about it before I do anything"

"Okay"

"Hoould you feel about ym? I’ll keep it exactly the sayym I fell in love with it the h ht I can’t afford to keep it

"You can buy it It’s yours" Although I’m sad it won’t be in our family anymore I’m happy that so to ruin it

His se it"

I choke "Me?"

He reaches out and graspsthat happens to it I know you love that place"

Tears well in my eyes Damn it How many times does this man have to surprisea kiss onfor you"