Torin and Summer

Chapter 19 (Torin): I Can Breathe Again

There was only one time in my life I'd ever been this nervous, and it'd been when I'd walked into our house to find Bridgette with a gun on Summer. It'd been life or death then and it felt the same way to me now. The only life I wanted was with Summer, and if she didn't show up, I felt like I'd simply exist the rest of my life, as if everything inside of me would be ripped out and I'd become a hollow body with no heart.

Show up, Summer. I beg of you, please show up today.

The boat rental shack opened at nine; I made sure I was there at eight thirty so I could be the first in line. I'd rented one of the rowboats so Summer and I could have it all day. In my insulated backpack, I'd packed drinks, our lunch and snacks. I also had an umbrella for her and a blanket in case we decided to tie up on one of the many small islands that dotted the lake and eat lunch on land instead of in the boat.  

Please show up, Summer. I know I don't deserve it, but I'm hoping.

An hour is an eternity to wait when your life is on the line. I walked along the shore for a bit, then decided to keep watch for Summer. In the back of my mind was the fear that she'd show up, get close to the boat shack, change her mind and walk away. Possibly run for her life, leaving me alone.

At which point I'd run after her and plead with her to stay, throwing myself at her feet and arguing my case. Of course, I didn't have much of a case to argue other than I love you more than life itself and you are my entire life and without you I have nothing.

But knowing Summer, if she came this far, she wouldn't turn around. I hoped. I just needed her to come this far like I needed air.

Summer, please show up.

Checking my phone, I saw I still had fifteen minutes to wait. I walked slowly to the lake and back.

Ten minutes.

Summer, are you on your way?

A few more walks to the lake and back followed to kill time, nervous energy making me walk faster than normal.

Three minutes.

By now I was fairly certain time had stopped. I shook my phone to jump start it, just in case it had stopped working.

That made me laugh as a memory hit me and I remembered the words I'd always teased Summer with when she'd gotten frustrated with her phone and had shaken it: It's not an Etch A Sketch, Sum. It doesn't do any good to shake it.

Well, it makes me feel better, Torin, and it's better than throwing it against the wall!

One minute to go, and I checked the two paths that led to the boat shack.

Nothing.

It was now ten.

10:01

10:02

10:03

10:04

10:05

She wasn't coming. Summer wasn't the type to run late, and I felt everything inside of me start to wither even as my mind scrambled for an answer. Maybe she hadn't gotten the card. Maybe she got the dates mixed up. Maybe she'd forgotten where the boat shack was even though she'd been here before.

But maybe she just wanted out and this was the no-pressure way to let me know. I honestly didn't know how I'd abide by that without attempting to talk with her. I'd been trying so damn hard not to back her into a corner after everything I'd done, but had that been a mistake?

I saw a flash of green hair coming up the hill that led to the boat shack, and had to force myself to stay standing even as my knees threatened to give out in relief.