“You can’t just play love like an ace. That’s cheap.”
“I’m not. That’s how relationships work.” I sat next to her and took her hand. “Right now, you’re struggling and I’ll support you. But you don’t need to run away to find yourself.”
“No.” She took back her hand and swiped at her eyes. “I love you. I’m sorry.” She kissed the corner of my mouth, then stood.
“You’re fucking serious?” I looked up at her.
“Yes.” She looked at me with pity. “Honestly, I thought you would understand it more than anyone.” Tears spattered onto her white shirt. “This is me trying to leave behind an institution that molded me to be something other than myself. I thought you would—” She shrugged and looked away.
“Right. You realized that society is a lie and you came to me for a cookie.” I frowned and nodded. “Got it.”
“Why are you being an ass?”
“Because you disrupted my entire life. You turned my whole world upside down and now you’re just leaving,” I shouted.
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s it? You’re sorry?”
“I’m sorry I’m selfish. And I’m sorry I hurt you.” She turned away.
I watched her slowly unroll her sleeves and fasten the cuffs. She slid on her jacket and buttoned it. She turned her key ring over a few times, then set my key on the kitchen table. I realized I was crying when it became difficult to see. I blinked away the tears and stood, but I didn’t know what to say. It clearly didn’t matter what I said.
Laurel turned back when she got to the door. We stood there and stared at each other across an impossibly distant space. And then she left.
About the Author
Award-winning author, Ashley Bartlett was born and raised in California. Her life consists of reading, writing, and editing. Most of the time Ashley engages in these pursuits while sitting in front of a coffee shop with her wife. It’s a glamorous life.
She is an obnoxious, sarcastic, punk-ass, but her friends don’t hold that against her. She lives in Sacramento, but you can find her at ashbartlett.com.
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
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