Vulnerable

R

o break my gaze, but I couldn’t, an

ed. “I used to love reading, smelling a new book that I bought.” Now that

why you’re here. And I should have waited outside, but the pizza

*

in. It was a great way to start my day, but this time, I was disappointed. I was completely distrac

was holding me back. I ended up meeting my friend Jack in the bathroom. My brain was

Probably the ambiance—it felt more welcoming than the silence and darkness every time I came back from

ggs, and bacon. Then the coffee maker was half-full. I picked a strip of bacon and shoved it into my mouth. While chewing, I gra

ook

y eyes were burning with delight while my heart

e to do this.

ned

rself,” I

d been all myself after the a

gut stir. “I’m going to wo

the couch, she wa

uffled toward her

go to the hospital e

rive yo

took a lot of advant

nd she instantly went rigid. “Th

g silence, she spoke, “I’m sc

ait outside until the surge

ot what I’m

back, Brooklyn.” I shift

blinked rapidly as she

k at me, Brooklyn.” Shit! “L

is.” She did as I told her. Her emo

I could wipe those away, but

will do their best to give back your sight. I heard worse than

I let my thumb wipe those tears. Her face turned crimson.

sees

ooklyn. Her eyes slightly widened, and she let

was almost a whisper, but

I wasn’t expecting she would recognize me after all those years. I was just a boy back then

yes. My breathing hitched the moment her skin touched my scruffy face. My

went sideways, slowly tracing my moist lips. I fought hard to take her ha

ng. I was dying now in front of her. My fists cracked, trying hard not to lift my hands, grab the back of her head, and slam my mouth to kiss her a