Page 10 of Escape

“I know. I feel the same. This whole school year just flew by.”

“And now we’re off to bigger and better things.”

My eyes roamed over her face, wondering if she truly believed that. “I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon. What if… what if you need something?”

She smiled at me, the look on her face indicating she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “I’m going to be okay, Huck. Honestly, I’ve got a plan, and within the next few weeks, I’m going to be out on my own. Things are going to get so much better for me, and I’m going to have the life I’ve always wanted.”

While there was a part of me that was happy she believed that was the case, there was the other part of me that selfishly wondered how she could think that was possible if I was no longer going to be around.

“I’m going to miss you, Josie.”

Tears filled her eyes, even as she smiled at me. “I’m going to miss you, too, Huck.”

“Hey, you two,” my mom called from a few feet away. “How about you stand together and let me take a picture of you?”

Josie swiped at the tears threatening to roll down her face. Then we turned to face my mom and smiled for a picture.

“Do you want to join us for a celebratory dinner?” I asked Josie, certain my mom wouldn’t mind.

“Oh, Huck. I’d love to, but I can’t. I’ve got to get home.”

My shoulders fell, and I hugged her again. “Be safe, Josie.”

Her arms tightened around me. “You, too.”

Begrudgingly, I released my hold on her. My hand found hers and gave it a squeeze before I let go of her completely.

And as Josie walked away, I tried to remember the confidence she had about finding the life she always wanted.

I just wish when I finally lost sight of her and turned around to see my mom with tears in her own eyes that I would have realized that letting Josie walk away like that was the biggest mistake of both of our lives.

ONE

Josie

“Is my breakfast ready?”

I gritted my teeth as I curled my fingers around the edge of the plate.

Life didn’t get any better.

In all the years that had passed since I’d promised myself things would eventually change for the better, I hadn’t gotten much more than the illusion of a better life.

That had happened about three years ago when I met my boyfriend, Kurt. I thought it had been my moment. I believed he was the man with whom I was going to find something better.

I was wrong.

In my defense, I hadn’t just drawn that conclusion for no reason. Kurt made it impossible for me to believe anything other than the best about him and the relationship we had.

In the beginning, it had been so good between us. Great, even. He was better than I had imagined whenever I dared to dream of that better life I had hoped to have. To top it off, he didn’t seem to have that wandering eye that my previous boyfriend had.

Kurt had been interested, attentive. So, it was no surprise it didn’t take me long to give our relationship everything I had. In my mind, if this was it, if this was the real deal, I didn’t want to hold myself back from pouring all I had to give in to it.

And that had been my mistake.

Forcing a smile onto my face even as my stomach clenched with the revulsion I felt, I turned around with the plate in my hand and answered, “Your breakfast is right here.”

Kurt was seated at the table I’d already set for him. His cup of piping hot coffee was already there, along with a napkin, utensils, butter, and syrup. As I set the plate down in front of him, he barely looked up to acknowledge me. There wasn’t even a word or nod of thanks.