Adjustments

Adjustments 7

Noah

The next morning I wake up next to her, with my arm over her as she sleeps. She looks so peaceful. Like nobody can hurt her while she's sleeping. She's like a closed book, I want to open it but I need a key which she possesses. I watch her for a little while, as she breathes slowly, four seconds in, four seconds out.

I want to take her somewhere where nobody can find her. Somewhere she can live without fear of anything or anyone.

I see her begin to wake up and take my arm off of her. She turns to face me and we lay together.

"Can I ask you something?" She says.

"Anything." I answer.

"Have you ever felt like... like no matter what you did you could never escape?"

"Escape what?"

"Life."

I freeze. She must have been pushed over the edge. I know how she feels.

"Yes." I say, observing her smile. That smile! I would kill to see that smile every day.

"Do you trust me?" I ask.

"Yes." She responds to my surprise.

"I want to take you somewhere."

"Okay."

"It's not close. We have to drive a few hours to get there."

"I trust you."

I get up, brush my teeth, comb my hair and go back into the bedroom. I see Sarah sitting cross-legged on the bed, brushing her hair. I remember she's still wearing damp clothes from the rain. I go into my sister's old room and find jeans and a jacket then advance back into the bedroom to see her still brushing her hair.

"I figured you'd want to change." She looks at me and sees the clothes.

"Where did you get that?"

"My sister's old room. She moved out a few years ago." I hand the clothes to her and begin to leave the room.

"I thought you said you were an only child."

"Long story."

Five minutes later she calls me in and she's standing in the middle of the room.

"Perfect fit, huh?" I ask.

"Yes." She looks down again and sits on the edge of the bed. Why is she doing that?

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine." I walk over and sit next to her.

"Talk to me, soldier." That made her laugh. I love her laugh.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." She's silent. "I thought you trusted me."

"I do! Believe me I do! It's just... complicated."

"Well, I can fix that, if you let me." I hold out my hand and look into her gorgeous eyes. She lifts her hand to take mine but backs off. Then she looks at me. I start to drop my hand until she put her's in mine.

"Ready?" I ask.

"Yes."