“Good luck, Clay. Princess right here isn’t in the perfect of moods,” says Carrick.

“That’s in all probability all my fault. I’ll take it from right here.”

Carrick leaves us with out a sarcastic phrase. It’s occasions like this that I want he would keep on being a comic. One thing, something, simply to lighten the temper.

Shay crosses her arms over her chest and stares at a spot on the faraway wall previous me. She by no means as soon as lets her eyes drift throughout me.

“I’m not going to apologize for caring, Shay. I’m additionally not going to apologize for attempting to make that call concerning the military ceremony for you. Nevertheless, I’ll apologize for throwing the previous at you. It was improper. I hate myself for it. I’m frightened of shedding you once more. And…” I soak up an enormous deep breath and let it out slowly. “…I don’t suppose I may reside with out you once more.”

Silence falls throughout us, and it’s eerily quiet. We may in all probability hear a pin drop it’s that also. I wish to scream at her to only discuss to me. Christ, she will be able to scream, yell, or throw issues if she so wishes. I simply don’t just like the silent remedy in any respect.

“Please, Shay, say one thing… something.”

She shrugs. “I don’t know what to say. I’m drained. No, I’m fucking exhausted. I don’t wish to battle with you, however it is advisable do not forget that I’m nonetheless the identical particular person I at all times was. I’m an enormous lady. I’m able to making my very own choices.”

“I do know.”

“And I don’t want you to be my protector, Clay. I would like you to be my pal. My every thing. My cause for respiration. I’m not your mission.”

And as a lot as I wish to inform her she was my mission for therefore lengthy, I preserve that to myself and take her hand in mine. I have to be taught to close up and simply preserve the peace.

“I gained’t promise something, however I’ll attempt to be something you need me to be.”

“Good. Now, Chris isn’t right here but. He’s late. Will you assist me over to the strolling bars?”

“Chris doesn’t have military or police background, babe. You’ll have to kick his time retaining into contact.”

“That may be organized.” She smiles at me.

I click on on the brake of the chair and maintain out my palms for her to take. I used to be going to push her over to the bars, however I’m going to be Chris, and cease mollycoddling her. She appears to love it, as a result of she nods, bites her lip in focus, and pushes off the chair. Her eyes lock with mine, and her palms squeeze mine. I can see the dedication in her face; she’s making it to these bars, even when it kills her.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Sure,” she grinds out. “I can do that. I gained’t be a burden with that chair for for much longer.”

“Hey, whether or not it takes you two weeks, two months, or two years, you possibly can by no means be a burden, do you perceive?”

“The wounded pet look doesn’t go well with me, Clay. It isn’t me. The faster I can get again on my toes, the higher. I wish to stroll on the military award ceremony. I would like everybody to see that I’m not laying down for something. I gained’t be bullied. And it’ll take much more to crucify me than that camp.”

“That’s just a few days away.”

“I do know.”

“And she will be able to do it if she places her thoughts to it,” says Chris from the door.

Shay’s head shoots up on the sound of Chris’s voice. I wish to chastise him for not taking my aspect, however I can inform that Shay goes to tear him a brand new asshole. She’s saved me a job.

“Chris, come right here.”

And my child brother trots over to us casually, ingesting a can of soda on his means. He stops beside Shay and me and smiles at her.

“Good progress,” he says.

“Good progress.” She laughs. “What time is it?”

Chris appears to be like down at his watch. “12.15. why?”

“So, you’ll be able to inform the time. You’re late. Fifteen minutes late. Lunchtime, you stated. Lunchtime is twelve o’clock.”

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