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He expects the truth

"Tell me why it needed to happen that way"

I knohy, but it’s private stuff I’ve been holding in for a decade

"Just say it, sweets It’s only a feords And once you say it, you can accept it And once you accept it, we can move forward"

I take in a deep breath "Because…" This is therapy stuff I know that It’s a trick That thought alh It’s not a trick, Grace It’s a technique to wrap your head around things "Because… I needed to save ht suffocate "Yes," he whispers in my ear "That’s it That’s all you need to say about it"

"Why ahn? Why doesn’t it bother o I shot a man? I killed a man I think that makes me sick I’m a sick, sick person"

"That doesn’t ain and then stands up and walks out of the plunge pool My body gets heavy and I iet back in the water and hide underneath its soothing surface

Vaughn walks us over to the edge of the river, grabbing a towel frooes He tosses it down on the concrete edge and then placeshurts a little now andto me "Lift up your arms"

I do as I’m told and he peels off the man-sized white t-shirt My nipples are erect and hard, my breasts firm and taut I look up at ers as he unbuttons his jeans, kicks off his shoes, and then drops his pants It takes both hands to get the heavy wet deni there naked, he puts his arms out and says, "This is me"

And then he reaches down for my hand, like he wants to pull me to my feet I hesitate because of the pain it will take to stand up But then I decide to trust hie to keep the weight off hn holds me steady for a second, and then he takes ht," he says

I do

And then his fingers unbuttonthe sopping wet fabric over round

He steps back a little and I let go of his arm

I put my arms out like he did and say, "This isabout this moment

The sun is war it cool There’s a bird singing a sweet song on a branch above our heads

His heart beats fast Mine beats faster

His lips touch my ear so softly I shudder

"This," he says, "is us"

Chapter Two