Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“No,” I answer gruffly, feeling constriction on my insides. I’m not ready to see her moving on with her life. Not yet. It’s too soon.
Ani is undeterred, her voice gentle and patient. “What about the beach? We could take a leisurely walk, and we wouldn’t have to worry about crowds. There’s no one around. It’s your land. It’s private.”
I take a deep breath, and my heart beats faster as I consider the possibility. I’m content being in the attic day and night, but she clearly is clawing at the walls and needs fresh air.
“Okay,” I answer. “We can go to the beach. On Godwin private land only.”
Her face brightens with surprise as she grins and rushes to give me a hug, her body so tiny compared to mine. “You won’t regret it.” Her voice is full of warmth and reassurance.
I nod, already regretting my decision but also knowing there is no backing down now.
She takes my hand and leads me out of the attic, down the stairs and out the front door. We walk together, our steps in sync, until we reach the beach.
The salty air greets us, and I inhale deeply. Ani stands beside me, looking out at the vast ocean expanse.
“This is amazing,” she says in awe. “It’s like a painting.”
We walk along the beach, feeling the sand beneath our feet. It is strange but invigorating to be out in the world again after so many years of staying inside the attic. One second, I like it, the next I don’t.
Ani looks up at me from time to time with a sparkle in her eye; she’s clearly enjoying herself. It’s nice to see that something so simple can bring her such joy. I stay close, watching her as she takes in the sights and sounds all around us. For the first time in months, a sense of peace washes over me, and I’m glad we ventured out. The rush of the waves lulls me into calmness, and I relax as Ani and I walk side by side along the shore.
We find a spot to sit and watch the sun set.
Ani wraps her arm around me, and I let myself feel the warmth of her embrace.
“Thank you,” she says, as the sun sets beneath the horizon.
“I can’t always expect you to want to stay inside,” I answer.
“Not just about the walk,” she says. “For everything. For giving me a place to stay. For making me feel safe for the first time in my life. For not judging me for my past and who I was. Allowing me the time to figure out who I am now.”
I nod, and Ani squeezes me tighter.
For a long time, we sit on a large piece of driftwood in silence, watching the stars come out in the night sky. The full moon is going to light our path back or I’d be nervous about her getting hurt climbing the hill back to the manor. Although I do see some storm clouds coming in, so I consider telling her we need to cut this short, but I also don’t want to spoil the mood—her mood.
Ani leans her head against my shoulder. I turn to meet her gaze, and it is full of understanding and contentment. It’s almost as if she likes me. Likes the real me. We remain as we are for what feels like an eternity, just being in each other’s presence and savoring the moments.
Ani speaks up softly. “I’m so glad we took this walk. It was exactly what I needed. And I think that even though you may sit here and act grumpy, you enjoyed yourself, too. But I like your grumpy.” She looks up at me with a small smile on her face that tells me she means every word.
Warmth spreads through my chest as I squeeze her hand in response. “I like your light. It helps with my dark.”
Ani squeezes my hand lightly before standing up and stretching her arms above her head. “I think I’m ready to go home now.” Her voice is quiet but determined.
I nod, and we make our way down the beach to where we started. I’m happy to be heading back to a place it’ll be safe.
Ani looks at me, as if she’s reading my mind. “You know... it’s possible to be safe outside, too.”
I grunt in response.
Ani just smiles back, her expression full of understanding. I take her hand, and together we make our way back to the attic. But she stops midway and points in the distance. “Look, a lighthouse. I don’t remember seeing that before.”
I glance over. “It’s on Godwin land. You wouldn’t have seen it or visited it before.”
Her eyes widen. “Then let’s go see it now.” She tugs my hand. “Come on.”
“I thought the plan was to head back.”
“Plans can change. Especially when adventure awaits.”