at me. He listened, really listened, and for the first time in what felt like an eterni

orescent glow a stark contrast to the encroaching darkness. As I

.. you said you got divorced because of Alex. And he seemed... distraught. Always looking out

ut. "He wasn't always like that," I said, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "He

reason we divorced? He cheated." The words were blunt, uncerem

, as if I'

n my chest. "From the time we were kids, running wild in these streets, t

r. We were in high school, and I'd forgotten my house key, again. Dad was at work, Mom was

d, his hand gently squeezing my

me laugh until the sun began to dip below the horizon. The hours had flown by, and

spered secrets. We navigated adolescence side-by-side, our dreams and fears mirroring each other's. That fateful day after high sc

spered against my lips, his voi

our entire future felt bound together. There was no 'C

e, let alone law school, which was his dream. He was going to drop out, get a factory job, just like his father. I remember h

ers still in my hair, but his touch felt di

y my side. That night, for the very first time, I asked my fa

trembling, "I need Alex. I

e looked at me over the rim of his mug. He set it down with

d asked, his voice low and serious. "Are

a young woman madly in love. My head bobbed