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As I finish h me I’m not sure if it’s finality, closure, hope, or a sense of new beginnings, but whatever it is--I’ll take it It beats the despair and isolation that have kept lass typewriter in the air "I leave you all with these final thoughts"

My last words come out softer as the syllables catch in rand ballroo When I open theers who surround irl in the back of the rooe, I keepthat hers are locked on o, but a lance tells a different story She seeust to admiration She’s a blend of confusion that echoes hts as I approach the table and my sister rushes toward me

"Oh, Ben, I’m so proud of you I wish Mo her Again my words catch in my throat

"Morab his head in a vise lock "Glad youor your mother will use the liquid soap in the restroom to wash out your?" I ask her as we approach the table

"Superpowers"

And I think, Oh yeah, just like our mom

Caleb extends his hand and pullsmy back, he doesn’t say a word, but I can feel what he feels We had ridden this roller-coaster ride together Both of our lives had changed once I started ive up his identity, but a part of hiuilt, remorse, sorrow, but noas a time for celebration

I push hi to have to deck you"

His grin broadens "I’ll try to control "

His eyes dart to ? I’ll grab another round," he says

"Sparkling water"

He rolls his eyes

"I need to keep e," I joke

Caleb hasn’t been around much the past year He hadn’t seen how I let alcohol consume me Let it erase the memories that were just too hard to bear I don’t consider myself an alcoholic, but I know I function much better when I stay away from it

Kale and Beck are deep in conversation when I squat between theet a congratulations?"

Kale’s eyes take on a gli ain She pulls her mass of hair back and bends down to exahtens she catches h that I know she sees it when I sestively, but she quickly cuts her eyes elsewhere I narrow in on the vision before me I can see her flawless skin left uncovered by her sleeveless dress I notice the way her neck and arhts above I i to nip the smooth hollohere her neck and shoulder ht sht up the whole fking rooo there, man," Caleb’s voice warns

"H back toward Beck and Kale, I clasp Kale’s shoulder "Great work Stop in my office Monday I want to hear all about it"

"I see the way you’re looking at her" Caleb won’t drop it

"I’ at her in any way," I deny

"The fk you’re not You’re practically licking her off the ri about"

His hard glare cuts across the room to where she stands "Yeah, I think I do Just reh alone You’re in a good place right now--you don’t need to go down that road"

"I hear you"

He looks at me skeptically

Glass in hand, I sippast wrongs and forbidden fruit--none of that ht we shared I also know that my insides hu else to Caleb, because he’s right; going down that road won’t lead to any place I need to go

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