Escaping RiverCreek

Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Dear Cory

Ever since he made it perfectly clear that he'd be leaving in a few short months, due to graduating early, Tara has kept her feelings bottled up inside. She's torn up, believing that Cory has given up on his dreams. Every day, she puts a fake smile on the outside while her soul screams in agony on the inside.

On the flipside of things, Cory feels empowered and raring to go. He's training harder in the weight room after practice. He's even playing less time on the ice to make sure he doesn't get injured before he leaves. He's up before the sun every morning to run three miles in the frigid winter air to expand his lungs. Pushing himself to the extreme pays off, as Cory's physique becomes more cut, with lean, toned muscle.

One morning during his run, he takes a detour from his normal route, heading over to see Tara. Walking up the steps, he knocks on the door, waiting for her to open it up.

"Come on, Tara. I'm freezing in my sweat," he says, beginning to feel a chill setting in on his damp skin.

Knocking loudly again, he stands there clutching his arms with his hands rubbing them together, bouncing in place. Eventually Tara comes to the door, holding her robe closed.

"Hey, sorry. My morning sickness hit hard this morning. Come on inside. I could use a head rub."

She moves aside, allowing Cory to finally get out of the cold.

"Thanks. I was doing good until I stopped running. Go lie down on the couch and I'll rub your head. I hate that I can't make you feel better."

Slinking over to the couch, Cory helps Tara get comfy when she stretches out, groaning as her body feels everything changing.

"This sucks! After you leave, my mom is taking time away from the store to be here more. She's finally come around to enjoying the fact that she'll be a grandma—although she's not very happy about you taking us with you to the base."

Cory glides his fingers through Tara's smooth, silky brown hair.

"I know, but at least I can try to get us based somewhere near here. It'll all work out—just wait and see. Hell, I can't believe I leave next week already."

Tara frowns, squinting harder with her eyes closed. "No, I'm not ready for you to go yet."

"I'll write every day, I promise. By the time I get finished and find out where I'll be placed, you'll have the baby, and we'll have our own little family. It's going to be great—I know it."

Tara's not as enthused. "How can you be so sure? How do you know it's going to work out like you think or plan?"

Pausing mid-stroke through her hair, Cory explains the best way he knows. "Faith. It's a feeling I have, and this feels right for us."

Yawning when Cory resumes his duty of rubbing her head, Tara is out cold within a matter of minutes, lightly snoring from exhaustion. Giving her time to get in a relaxed deep sleep, Cory lifts her head from his lap. He places a throw pillow in his place so he can head back home to finish his run.

He locks the door on his way out. Cory lifts the hoodie cover over his head again as he takes off, sprinting home. The snow crunches beneath his shoes. He strides along, ignoring the burning sensation expanding in his lungs due to the temperature dropping with the wind blowing from the north. He spends the rest of his morning at home, resting his aching muscles.

Arriving for his final game on the ice, Cory is called immediately by the coach.

"Hey, Core, can I see you in my office, please."

Puzzled by the coach calling for him in private, Cory puts his pads back into his locker and heads into the office.

"What's up, sir?"