Saving Rain

by Kelsey Kingsley

staring at the patch of dirt across the road. I imagined that Billy’s ghost was there, forever tethered to the last place he’d been alive. I imagined he could see me, angry and hateful and so fucking pissed. I wondered what he’d say to me now, knowing he’d never uttered anything worth saying while he was alive, and I shook my head. “Billy Porter was such a fucking asshole,” I muttered, dropping my chin to my chest. “He was an idiot and a loser, and if I’m being real with myself, he probably would’ve been dead by now anyway. I just wish I hadn’t been the one who killed him. That’s all. I wish that weren’t a part of my shitty story.” With another sigh, Harry wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled my body against his. Then, he said, “Soldier, do you know how many other people would’ve died had Billy not taken that pill?” I swallowed and blinked away the tears. “I never thought about that.” “Your heart is so good, and your intentions were as well—as twisted as they might’ve been. But if you had taken those bottles and sold even just ten pills to ten kids, that would’ve been the blood of ten people on your hands. And while it still wouldn’t have been your fault they were laced, you would still be in prison, maybe even for the rest of your life. And there is more to your story than that, Soldier. I promise you. There is a reason Billy took that pill before you had the chance to sell any—he saved you.” Holy shit. I had never thought of it like that before. I had never look...