Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
I just wish I had more time to think, to figure out the next step and ease her into the truth.
Handing her the envelope, I then sit down and wait. With a scrub of my face, I know I’ve done the right thing, but the anticipation of what happens next is going to kill me.
Her eyes go from the front to me and then back again. “Why does it have your name and mine?”
“The police weren’t making any headway, so I hired a private investigator to uncover your identity.”
Her gaze drops to the folder on the desk. “And that’s what that is?”
I nod, suddenly unable to speak.
She steps forward but then appears reluctant, stopping after only one more as if she’s just as afraid of what it contains. I push the papers inside and then tap it against the desk before handing it to her.
Taking it, she cradles it to her body, and then asks, “Do you know who I am?”
“Yes.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Since the moment I saw you at the hospital when you walked out. I know your heart, Tuesday. I know your soul.” My throat feels dry when I add, “I know who you are. You’re the woman I love.”
I’m not sure what I expected from my confession, but it wasn’t ice. “You got this weeks ago. I remember when it was delivered during the snowstorm.” She searches my eyes for anything that will make this make sense.
I’m failing to comfort her, which is why I need more time, but I still can’t hide from responding to questions she didn’t ask. “I was afraid to open it.”
“It wasn’t yours to decide. It was mine. Why did you hold on to it this long?”
“I was going to give it to you. I just needed time to figure out a plan—”
“When?” she snaps. “Tomorrow? In ten years? On my deathbed?” She takes a breath. “Or never? Were you going to let me live my life without ever knowing who I really am?”
“No, I was going to tell you. I just—”
“You just thought you should have the final say as to when and where?” She’s still holding the file like it’s a life preserver. Maybe it is for her.
For me, it’s a bomb that’s been detonated.
“That’s not true, Tuesday.”
“Is Tuesday even my name?” Flipping through the file, she says, “It’s not felt like it until the past couple of weeks.” Just as she opens it, she closes it again even faster. Taking a breath, I can see the fight in her shoulders subsiding, dragging them down. “I love you, Loch. I love you more than words can say, but this feels like a betrayal.”
“I hired him for you, to help give you answers that no one else will.”
“And then you withheld the file from me.”
I’d been hesitant to approach her, thinking she wanted space to work through this. I was wrong. If I let an inch come between us, it could end up with her being in Rhode Island and me stuck here without her. I go to her. “Listen to me—”
“No, I won’t.” She backs toward the door. She’s fighting against the tears in her eyes but finally gives in and swipes at them. “You had the chance to tell me, to help, to take the journey with me, but you chose to hide the truth. Why?”
“I chose to hire the investigator because the police were hitting dead ends. How is that possible when you’re from Rhode Island?”
She’s staring at me, her expression wavering between hope and desperation. “I’m from Rhode Island?”
I walk to her, ready to comfort her in any way she’ll let me, but as her chest reddens, I think I’m the last person she wants touching her. “Please, let’s take a breath, and I’ll explain everything.”
Closing her eyes, she rubs the middle of her forehead. When she reopens her eyes, she says, “I trusted you.”
“I know you did, and you still can.”
Taking another deep breath, she says, “But can I?”
My temper flares, but I hold it in. “I did everything for you—”
“And I never asked for any of it.”
“That’s not what I meant.” I fist my hand, frustrated that I can’t get her out of her head.
“I know what you meant, Loch. I do.”
“Please know that I only had your best interest in mind.”
“I know I should have been a part of the decision-making regarding my life.” She turns and leaves the office.
“Where are you going?”
“The bedroom. I need to be alone.”
I give her the time away from my presence, the time I hope she’ll use to understand that I never meant to upset her. I don’t approach the bedroom. I won’t until she’s ready to see me again.
Lying on the couch, I stare out the windows on a clear night until I can no longer keep my eyes open.