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"Hey" He says, aard He’s wearing a ru in the sun He’s the last person on earth I expected to see

Myhere?"

He shrugs, bunching his fists in his front pockets "Your dad told etting everything back to the city before the storm hits"

"What stor, it’s all over the news A big hurricane, supposed to hit tonight With you out by the water like this, we should get on the road before it blows through town"

I feel a warhdespair It’s so typical of Daniel, to think about what he can do to help, even after everything All the pain I caused him He alas the selfless one

"It’s OK," I tell hie"

"I want to" Daniel looks around the yard, and up at the house, taking it all in He smiles, "It’s beautiful I can see why you didn’t want to let it go"

I wipe at ot most of it packed away There’s stuff for Goodwill, and the trash, and…" , and I have to trail off without finishing

Daniel looks at es, concern flooding across his features "Juliet," he exclai forwards to reach me "What happened? Are you OK?"

"I’ain Before I canaround ainst his chest

I half-heartedly struggle, but he keeps me warently strokingto be OK"

I know I should pull away, but I feel h arms aroundthat’s happened this , it’s a relief to sink into his solid eain

"I’ain Finally, he steps back, holdinghappen?" His face darkens "Is it that guy? Did he hurt you?"