Between Now and Forever

by Adriana Locke

But just because you’ve made it to the other side of the fire doesn’t mean life returns to the way it was before. Once you’ve been through the flames, you’re burned. Those scars never totally heal.

“Look, Gabby, we only live once. Why not live life the way you want? Why be scared or tiptoe around it? Grab whatever it is that makes you happy and run while you can.”

“Grab whatever it is that makes you happy and run while you can.”

“She must be amazing.” “She is. And every day we spend together, I hope there’s another one to follow. She says she wants to live again.” His smile fades into the shy grin that melts my heart. “But I didn’t even realize I wasn’t living until I met her.”

*heart eyes*

“Thank you. Sometimes, we have to respect people even when we don’t like them. Even if we don’t like who they are in our lives. And sadly, this is a part of life, Dylan. Showing respect even when it’s hard. And that’s the man your father would want you to be. So yes, please try. That’s all I want you to do, buddy. Try.”

“Don’t get me wrong. The shit you pulled at your house the other night was childish.” Dylan’s face falls. “But that’s the thing about men, and about people in general,” I say. “We don’t have it together all the time. And when we go through things that are painful or

hard, like losing your dad, it can make it really hard to always do the right thing.”

It felt safer to keep everyone at arm’s length rather than to let them in and risk that kind of devastation.”