Page 9 (1/2)

More than a year later, she still doesn’t reht be for the best

"A few things" Her vague answer tellsto share with me We have an odd relationship I consider her my family--the sister I alanted--and she probably outranks any of my childhood friends as my closest confidante But the Alex I know comes with a do-not-pass door into her past, and what truly happened the night she should have died She uards what she does remeh thefor her in the hospital I ith her the day she discovered whatIf anyone, she should feel that she can trust me That’s what I assumed at first: that she didn’t trustshe’d tell me when she was ready

Every once in a while, she’llIt’s always inconsequential, but for her, I’ to think it’s more a matter of safety I don’t knoho her husband was, beyond the fact that he was a maniac with a psychotic te me And Jesse And, honestly, who knoho else

So I just let her be, appreciating the present Alex in irl is an inspiration

"So? What’s new? What’s Ireland like?"

"It’s beautiful," I answer honestly, at least the little bit that I’ve seen My face was pressed to the glass in awe as the plane descended into rich, grassy hills speckled with tiny white and black sheep

Gravel crunches on the receiver I can picture Alex strolling along the driveway, her cornsilk-blond hair hanging free and natural She’s probably heading toward the barn She spends a lot of time around the horses "And the trip?"

I sh the smile isn’t as wide this time I’m not sure if that’s on account of my injured lip or my recently doused spirits "Still worth it" No one believed I would get on that first plane They thought that I’d find an excuse, a reason to not leave Sisters--e when many offor this trip since I landed ht out of school When Alex firstextra shifts to earn ist by the naed everything

I had noticed Aaron around the hospital Blond, attractive, ruleevery nurse in the hospital had noticed hile female doctors had, too One day last June, Aaron turned around in the line at the cafeteria and asked if we could eat together I heldstupid I uess I didn’t, because that one lunch in the cafeteria quickly becas at the hts at his condo in don Bend By Christ in with hi and youthfully attractive and sh, we had a lot more in common than I would ever have believed Both of ht-year age difference between us

I was so sure that Aaron was it

Just as quickly, though, our relationship crashed and burned In late February, Aaron suddenly announced that he was y hospitals in the country He’d never even toldhis trips out east to visit with his parents, he was also interviewing for the position He told me over dinner at his place, andabout what life in Boston would be like If I could get a job there, how on and s with ht