Chapter 215

“I was hurt,” she says after an age. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never want to hurt you. But where would you have gone?” “I don’t know.” She turns to face me. “I think it was...how do you say? Instinct. You know, Tomas and Julio...I’ve been running for so long. I was a little crazy.” “I can’t imagine how terrifying that was for you.” I cringe and close my eyes, thanking all the gods that I got to her in time. “But you can’t run every time we have a problem. Talk to me. Ask me questions. About anything. I’m here. I’ll listen. Argue with me. Shout at me. I’ll argue with you. I’ll shout at you. I’ll get it wrong. You’ll get it wrong. That’s all okay. But to resolve our differences, we have to communicate.” A fleeting look of anxiety crosses her face. “Hey.” I tilt her chin up and draw her closer to me. “Don’t look worried. If...if you’re going to live with me...you know. You need to tell me how you feel.” “Live with you?” she whispers. “Yeah.” “Here?” “Here. And in to