Page 80 of Easton
I nod in return. We finish our conversation, I fill out all the paperwork, and then I leave. In two weeks, I’ll no longer be Officer Archer Thorn. I’ve never given myself time to figure out exactly what I want. I’m happy to be doing it now.
I head to the car, then drive to East’s house. Well, home, I guess I should call it. We didn’t speak about me officially moving in when he gets back from his inpatient program, but he asked me to stay here with the dogs while he’s gone.
It’s only been eight days, and we haven’t gotten to talk as much as I’d like, but I know he’s where he needs to be. I’m proud as hell of him. And according to Dusty, Morgan has also made an appointment to start seeing a therapist. It’s past time they got the help they deserve, unlearning the toxic behaviors they were taught and realizing that none of what happened was their fault.
I’m not sure if Rhett is doing the same, but I can only hope he is.
I park in front of the house, the weather gray and getting cooler. As soon as I unlock the door, the dogs come spilling out, jumping and falling and telling me hello, before it’s clear they’re looking around for East.
“He’ll be home soon. I promise.”
My cell rings, and I pull it out of my pocket, hopeful that it’s him. My heart jumps when I see it’s from the facility where he’s at. Our calls are short, but I look forward to each and every one of them.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you doing?”
“Not great,” he replies honestly, which is a step in the right direction.
“Thank you for being honest with me.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. So fucking much. How is the medication making you feel?” They started him on them when he first arrived but warned him that they can take a while to work—and find the right medication and dosage—and that the most important piece will be the therapy.
“I don’t notice much difference so far. I’m sleeping better, though.”
The dogs come in, I close the door, then sit on the couch. “That’s good. You need it. Pretty Girl and Casanova are at my feet. I think they know I’m talking to you.”
“I can’t wait to see them.”
“They can’t wait either.”
“I’m drawing you,” East says softly. “You said once you wanted me to draw you, and I’ve been doing it every day. Makes me feel…close to you.”
My heart swells. None of this is easy on East, but he’s there, and he’s trying so damn hard despite feeling that getting healthy means losing Ella. “I can’t wait to see them. Save them all for me, okay?”
He chuckles. “I will.” He’s quiet for a moment, and I wait him out. “We’re talking a lot…about you…about my family…about Ella. I want to tell you a happy story about her. I’m trying to talk about her more in a good way.”
“I’d like that.” I lean back against the couch and listen to East talk about their ninth birthday and how Ella sneaked the chocolate cake into their room because she knew it was his favorite, and how they ate it and played board games all night.
“Didn’t even matter that I got an upset stomach. We always had fun together. It was like having my best friend with me all the time. Having this connection where I felt what she did, andshe felt what I did too. Like we could ease the pain for each other and made the joy feel doubly as good.”
My eyes mist over a little, and I wipe the tears away. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
“How are Morgan and Dusty?”
“They’re good. We’re all damn proud of you.”
“Your job?” he asks. He knows I was going to quit today, and he was nervous about it.
“It’s done. And honestly, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
“Are you sure it’s not because—”
“It’s not.”
“My therapist said I should trust you to make decisions for yourself. That I can’t take responsibility for your choices.”
“She’s right. I like her.”