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"What was I supposed to say, Lace?" I sigh, feeling that fauilt that always settles over me whenever I think about the half-truths I’ve told my boyfriend "That I hadI had not to slash open ht now, but the words are true For the longest ti on a precipice, like one wrong step could sendinto the darkness The worst part was, there were ood

"Oh, babe…" Lacey’s voice softens She knohat it was like for me: as e that summer left behind The days when all I did was curl in a ball, weeping; the weeks I barely ate, or left my room at all except for classes She was the one who finally satme out to parties and coffee-breaks and the campus therapist, who prescribed me a whole list of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds

The pills helped--too much, I think so an to believe it for myself I didn’t meet Daniel until my junior year, and by then, I could alood The only scar I had left you could see was the tiny blue jay tattoo onit re limpse in thereminder of all my duain

Until now

"It’ll be fine" I say firy ork now, all over again "I’ll pack up the house for the realtor, and be back by Monday I picked up groceries in the city, so I won’t even need to go into town"

"If you say so" Lacey’s voice is doubtful, but she doesn’t press "Call rip the steering wheel deterot a plan, just like I said to Lacey I’ll get the beach house packed up, hand the keys over to the realtor, and leave town for good this ti over old memories

I head around the next bend, and all of a sudden, the fan comes into view

Welcoood intentions to leave the past in its dark, deep grave, I can’t help it One look at that peeling wooden board is all it takes for o, to the last time I drove down this road

The day when I o…

"…And we can make s’mores in the fire pit, and cycle into town for ice-cream like ays used to Jules? Juliet?"

Myout theat the haze of grey andI have that I was anywhere but here

I turn Myover fro to keep the irritation fros we can do this su against the glass "When the weather clears up, at least"