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In the er It propelled me out of bed It fueled er was powerful It took over everything until the next wave hit me

Regret Guilt Eing tides I couldn’t hold on to one feeling for long before another one swept over me Maybe that was my acceptance Acceptance that this was my life now

In a few days caiving break and as a general rule, the clinic followed the same schedule as the university

I could tell Jessie and Gregory needed a break They were excited about their proclai horandmother Addie hadn’tto ask her anything personal

I decided that I would drive to New Bern After spending money on an unexpected ticket, I couldn’t afford to buy another one so soon Garrett was bringing Morgan to Thanksgiving dinner It would be a distraction One of the only times I considered New Bern a sanctuary

Meg waltzed in my office with her time sheet

“Can you sign this please so I can scan it in?” she asked, placing the form in front of me

“Sure”

I initialed the last line and dated it

“I’o with us?”

“I don’t think so” I hadn’t been out since everything collapsed “I have finals to grade”

I couldn’t i into a bar I had no interest in e character That part of me was irreparable

“Oh co to work on that for you You should have some fun You’ll like my friends”

I srades in and posted tonight Then it will be off my plate”

She twisted her lips together “You can text e your mind”