Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
I step out and start walking toward the bridge. Rain opens her own door and gets out and quickly catches up with me. I look up at the stars, shining brightly overhead.
At least it’s not pouring.
I reach over and take Rain’s hand in mine, hearing her surprise from a sharp intake of breath. But she immediately wraps her fingers around mine without hesitating as we walk together.
For a girl who loved pressing me with so many questions, she sure knows now is not the right time to do so. She remains silent as we approach the bridge, and I stop at the metal decking and look down.
Like the last time I was here, the water is rushing below. Even from this high up, it sounds like a cavernous roar, rumbling from beneath our feet. Images of Jenny on the stretcher come rushing back, and I quickly push them aside and take a step onto the decking.
I lead Rain over to the railing and look down at the white-caps, lit by the early moonlight, churning beneath us like a chilling grinder. But I can only look for a moment before I have to look back at Rain.
Her face breathes a warmth back into my body that instantly calms me.
I stare at her for probably too long, but she doesn’t show any signs of discomfort. Finally, I manage to summon up the courage I’ve known all day I’ll need for this.
“Five years ago, my girlfriend killed herself by jumping off this bridge.” Rain gasps and covers her mouth with her free hand. I reach into my pocket and pull out her necklace, showing it to her. “You can ask me now.”
Rain looks at the necklace, then at me. Hesitantly, she asks, “And that was hers?”
“Yes. I’ve never been able to let go. Every year I go to her grave and I bring flowers…pink roses…her favorite.”
“Marlon, I’m so sorry…” Rain says, clutching my hand tighter. “Were there any signs? Any warnings? I–I shouldn’t be asking so many questions–”
“No.” I shake my head. “It’s okay, Rain. You can ask me anything now.”
Her eyes change. Despite being filled with sorrow and pity, there’s a light there now, one I’d hoped I would see tonight.
“And yes.” I nod. “She tried once before, and I saved her. I got her into therapy, and she was doing much better. But…she had a jealousy issue and just couldn’t shake it. And on her birthday, she saw me talking to one of my employees. She got in her car, drove here, and…”
My voice fades off as the memories of that night threaten to drag me back into despair. The sound of the rapids raging below seem somehow louder now than they did when we first arrived.
“I tried to find her, but she got here before me. There was nothing I could do.”
“Marlon, it’s not your fault. You know that, right?” Rain steps closer. Her warmth radiates out like a tiny sun. Her scent slides into my nostrils, and I breathe it into my lungs. “If she wanted to do that, she was going to find a way.”
I nod. “I’ve slowly been coming to terms with that. But as you may have guessed now, that’s why I had my rules in place with you. I was afraid that if I met another girl and gave my heart to her…that I’d lose her too. And that would break me forever.”
Rain moves in closer and places a hand on my chest. She looks up at me, and her eyes lock to mine as though there were invisible, unbreakable chains linking them together.
“Yes. I understand.”
A feeling of relief flows through me. Back when I was at the office, debating on whether or not to tell all of this to her, I kept telling myself she would understand.
She’s a smart girl, I kept saying, over and over and over.
It all made sense logically, but life isn’t always logical–especially when it comes to emotions. And Rain and I have gone through a lot of emotions together in a short period of time. So there was always a chance she wouldn’t hear what I was saying or just would choose not to hear what I was saying and would tell me to get out of her life.
And I wouldn’t have blamed her if she did.
“You do?” I ask her.
She nods, and it’s as though the entire world is suddenly just the two of us standing here on the bridge. The relief that washes over me is like a golden wave releasing me from something I’ve been carrying for so long.
“Rain, ever since I lost her, you’ve been the only girl I’ve met that has truly challenged me. Even that first night at the bar when I told you to go away, you wouldn’t.”
Rain giggles and looks down at her feet. “Well, I couldn’t give up that easy.”