Saving Rain

by Kelsey Kingsley

“You know, you guys really need to invest in some better coffee. I mean, for fuck’s sake, I drank better shit in prison.”

“And it’s because of you that I am happy. It’s because of you that I love my life. Things that I never thought could ever be possible have been turned into a reality because you’re in my life. And I know you thank me for everything all the time, but right now, I’m thanking you. For opening your mind and giving me a chance when everyone else was reluctant, for loving me, and for giving me a life I never thought I could have. I could never thank you enough for that. Because I’ve finally won.”

I pulled her to me. She pressed her cheek to my chest and gasped for air, stroking her fingers over my skin and listening to the beat of my heart as it slammed against my rib cage. Every thump another promise to belong to her for as long as it could pump the blood through my veins and forever after that.

Soldier had saved my life three times before I saved his once. And as the bricks holding my walls together were crushed, settling as dust on the floor of that waiting room, I knew it hadn't been enough.

“You were always my sunshine, baby. But it’s time for you to be hers. There’s nobody left to save. I’m okay now—we all are. Now, go live your life.”

The Soldier Mason I knew now was a friend, a husband, and a father of two. He was a homeowner and a member of the River Canyon town board. He was a hard worker at the local grocery store and grateful to call himself a partner in the business. He was a proud man, content and satisfied. But most of all, and most importantly, he was good.

And as Wayward’s gray stone exterior faded to nothing behind me, I drove toward two kids who needed me, and a wife who loved me, and a town that had shown me the forgiveness I needed, and a house in historic River Canyon that I knew Grampa would’ve been proud to know I called mine. And so was I. I was proud to call it all mine.