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“What do you want, Mal?”

“I want to erase the sadness that always see you I want you to feel like you can count onI want you to look at me and believe that I love you and that I’d never hurt you But beyond all that, I si other than who you are”

She wrapped her arms around my waist, and rested her head on my chest “I don’t care what Macy says

about you, you’re an okay guy”

I laughed, closingher initiate contact with me made me feel like I’d won the lotto

“Just okay? I think I’m pretty damned spectacular”

“I’m sure you do”

I felt dahtened my hold on her, and stroked her back softly “What do you want, Ginger?”

“I…” she stopped, sniffling as she pulled away She wiped the wet spot on my shirt “Sorry”

“No biggie”

She looked around the e her eyes back to , as was the tip of her nose Everything I’d just told her I wanted was true But there was no ic fix to take away her sadness, no matter how much I wished differently

Her tears were my kryptonite

“You’re going to need more furniture than what you have at your condo”

Two steps forward, but about a hundred steps backwards She kept fighting against any and everything that she thought was a kink in her emotional armor I wanted to push her to answer the question, but I already knew the outcome of ould happen Today was supposed to be a happy day

“Good thing I’ner then She can helpit look like soe it when youthe look of protest on her face “But we’ll worry about that torill and some lawn chairs, since the first official celebration in this place will be in honor of your birthday”