Stripped

"I've got you," he repeated over and over rocking me back and forth as I bawled into his shoulder. "Don't worry baby. I'm going to get you back. I promise." Then he pulled away for a moment and lifted the chain from around his neck gently placing it around mine. I cried even harder when he told me, "You keep this. I'll get it back from you soon. Okay?"

I felt around my throat for the necklace and realized it was his grandfather's ring that dangled from the chain. Jake leaned his forehead against mine. Then he did something he had never done before. His lips brushed mine so lightly it was almost as if I imagined it, then placed a tender kiss on the corner of my mouth. "I'll see you soon," he said but his eyes said differently. He looked at me as if this was the last time he would ever lay eyes on me.