I'm not sure who moved faster last night, in hindsight, as Caleb's voice cut the magic hour right in two but all I knew was the light was fading so when we dumped out of the hammock, Lochlan already on his feet, I ran straight inside. I didn't want to be in the woods, for it's always better to confront the monsters you know, instead of the monsters you don't.
Except I didn't confront, I hid. Lochlan had to go it alone, though I heard nothing so I'm hoping they haven't killed each other.
Then I hear Caleb. He flew for ten hours to get home early. He cancelled all of his potentially lucrative meetings and he recognized Bridget's descent into laying blame and casting at shadows and he showed up ready to be There For Her.
From what I heard, Lochlan absolutely set him on his fucking ear when he found out Caleb was mad, as if there's any rights there at all.
He follows my steps right to the end, where I am tucked down between the end of the counter and the wall inside the butler's pantry, eyes shut tight, hands over my mouth. If I could have made myself smaller I would have.
Neamhchiontach. He reaches out a hand and strokes my hair and I let loose of my face and scream right into his.
Shhhhhhhh. He sits down on the floor, pulling me out of the corner and into his lap, into his arms. Safety in danger. Death in life. Everything in nothing. And he rocks. And he rocks. And the tears well up and stream down his face and he loses his words for a moment.
Like a child, I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on for dear life.
I would take it back if I could, he whispers. Tell me what to do.
You need to leave.
I don't have any place else to go, Bridget. You are my home.
I can't be. This isn't working.
It's just the time of year, the rest of the time you're okay with this, we do well toget-
Please.
You'll feel differently in a couple of weeks. When you need me and I'm right here.
Except I didn't confront, I hid. Lochlan had to go it alone, though I heard nothing so I'm hoping they haven't killed each other.
Then I hear Caleb. He flew for ten hours to get home early. He cancelled all of his potentially lucrative meetings and he recognized Bridget's descent into laying blame and casting at shadows and he showed up ready to be There For Her.
From what I heard, Lochlan absolutely set him on his fucking ear when he found out Caleb was mad, as if there's any rights there at all.
He follows my steps right to the end, where I am tucked down between the end of the counter and the wall inside the butler's pantry, eyes shut tight, hands over my mouth. If I could have made myself smaller I would have.
Neamhchiontach. He reaches out a hand and strokes my hair and I let loose of my face and scream right into his.
Shhhhhhhh. He sits down on the floor, pulling me out of the corner and into his lap, into his arms. Safety in danger. Death in life. Everything in nothing. And he rocks. And he rocks. And the tears well up and stream down his face and he loses his words for a moment.
Like a child, I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on for dear life.
I would take it back if I could, he whispers. Tell me what to do.
You need to leave.
I don't have any place else to go, Bridget. You are my home.
I can't be. This isn't working.
It's just the time of year, the rest of the time you're okay with this, we do well toget-
Please.
You'll feel differently in a couple of weeks. When you need me and I'm right here.