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“I was actually hoping to go to the celance at Dax as I had not told him before of my desire to do this “Think I could borrow your car?”

“I’ll take you,” Dax says, s as he pulls the rental car keys out of his pocket and twirling theerMaryBeth and Justin Miles share a headstone, their ashes rass browned by winter, brushing a few stray blades froh his leg brushes against me

I was just fourteen when they died Such a fragile age for a girl Yet, Lance did an a me feel safe and secure I didn’t have to fear the future because I trusted in hirievewith him

“I’m not sure I ever really thanked Lance for all he did for me after they died,” I say quietly as I stare at the headstone

“He knew,” Dax replies, squatting beside me

I nod, hopeful he’s right “I need to ements for his ashes to be buried here”

“I’ll help with that,” he replies, the strength in his voice infusing me “Just tell me what you want, and I’ll handle it for you”

I look over at him “Thank you”

He s out to tuck a strand of hair behindto thank me for It would be my honor because I loved him, too”

“He loved you right back” My nose stings, and I inhale a sniffle

It’s enough to have Dax’s aro e stood in Lance’s apart in my life I had shred myself into a thousand tears in his arrieve I had been trying so hard to be strong and bear everything with dignity and grace, and in just a matter of moments, Dax let me fall apart I knoould never let me completely shatter

Standing here onago, he hten as I turn my face into his chest Dax’s hand presses to the back of my head, a silent command to let it all out