Page 107 of Fight

“Hi… I meant to tell you, I just?—”

His smile is almost shy as he stares down at his feet. It’s like we’re strangers. My heart breaks a little; I don’t want him to hurt. He lightly scuffs one of his shoes over the floor. “It is what it is, right?”

My lips roll together, and I nod, mirroring his posture.

“I, um, I have something for you.” His voice is somber. I look up, and he raises his gaze to mine again. He reveals the papers he’s been holding behind him and hands them to me. My vision blurs when I see the words at the top. “I picked up a divorce packet from the courthouse today. I, uh, I’ve filled out my portion. There’s still more forms before we can file, but it’s a start.”

My eyes swim with tears. I can’t believe he did this. My jaw drops, and I throw my arms around him. “Thank you.” We hold each other for a moment in silence before he pulls away.

“I’m sure Callahan told you he paid me a visit the other day.”

“He didn’t say much about it.”

“Well, he had plenty to say to me.” Jonathan chuckles, raising his eyebrows. “I sat with it for a couple days. Thought about what he said, but it was mostly what you said... This is the longest I’ve been away from The Fold.”

The corner of my mouth tips up. “Feels good, huh?”

“It’s a little scary, but there’s more air here.”

I remember that feeling. Like you’ve been breathing your whole life with a bag over your head, then suddenly someone takes it off and you realize how easy it is to drink in the air. It’s effortless.

“Anyway, he set up a room for me a couple towns over. There’s an organization that’s willing to provide housing as I make the transition from The Fold. They even provide assistance for employment and transportation, as well as legal help for these sorts of situations. It’s just to get me on my feet.”

I look back to the stairs where Callahan retreated to, pressinga hand to my chest, my heart swelling. Cal saved Jonathan. He savedme.

“Have you contacted anyone at The Fold?” I turn back toward Jonathan.

He puffs out a sigh. “Not yet. There are a few things I have to get in order, banking and whatnot, before that happens. I told them about the three-week notice you needed for work, it’s buying me some extra time. At the end of that three weeks…” He raises one shoulder. “We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.”

He’s taking a huge leap. I wrap my hand around his and squeeze.

“I don’t know what will happen. Mom and Dad—” His voice cracks, and he meets my gaze. “You’re the truest family I’ve ever had, you’re the only person who has ever seen who I am and shown me love the way it’s described in scripture. Love is patient, kind, and never ends. Your love has always been unconditional.”

As he lifts the burden off my shoulders, it feels like I’m floating. The only thing keeping me on the ground is the knowledge that he’s about to go through all the mixed emotions I felt leaving. I drove across the country, the temptation to turn around was strong, but I forced myself to keep going. It’s not easy.

“There is so much good here.” I set the papers on the floor and hug my arms around him again. “I promise you will find it, and until then, you’ll have Cal and me. You’re not alone.”

He hugs me back. “I’m really glad you have Callahan. It’s obvious he loves you.” And that has never been more apparent, seeing as he moved a few mountains to keep me here. “It’s powerful to witness.”

His words have me tearing up, because I feel the same about him.

Jonathan chuckles. “And he’s very protective over you.”

“You have so much love to give, and I can’t wait for you to find someone to give it to. It’s indescribable.”

“Yeah?”

“I mean, you gotta go through a survival exercise at the top of a mountain first… but yeah.” I grin up at him and drop my arms to my sides. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet.”

The rejection stings a little, but I respect it. He’s still processing our split. He’s got a big journey ahead of him.

“I understand.” I’ve already turned his world upside down with the divorce, I don't need to flip it inside out too.

“I think I’m gonna go back to the hotel. I just have to work through this alone for a bit.”

My brows knit, and I lift a half smile. His request is familiar, and there’s comfort in it. Whenever we had arguments at home, he always processed things by himself.