Out of the Woods

by Hannah Bonam-Young

“There’s a new boy,” Win interrupts. “A cute one. A tall, well-dressed, glasses-wearing boy…”

OH THE GLASSES

We’ve been letting shit pile up for years, ignoring it like the bills on our moms’ kitchen table. But now they’re all past due and we’re too tired to deal with it all.”

“I took a moment, gathered intel, and figured out what you needed. I decided it’s tough love.

“I love you,” he says, bringing his lips to my forehead. “I love you a truly stupid amount.”

I choose to hope that maybe, just maybe, fate will have something kinder in store for us.

How to convey the gratitude I felt to have someone take on a burden of their own to relieve one of mine.

I cannot afford to go to jail, I have a gluten sensitivity.

Let it be known that Caleb, bless his sweet soul, has never once read a room.

I am a simple creature, at my core. Give me books, sunlight, water, and a handsome man looking at me like I’m some rare jewel, and I’m all set.

“I would climb mountains for the chance to watch you come undone, baby.”

Life kept going, the Earth kept spinning, everyone moved on, but I stayed still.

The truth is the past is one of the only things as stubborn as us humans. Unfortunately, it won’t change no matter how much you ask it to.”

“If you give me the space to grow, I’ll plant myself next to you. Always.”

“I don’t want easy. I don’t want anyone else. I want you, Sar. I want to be the only man lucky enough to be loved by you.”

And your heart is mine in the way that our home or our neighborhood or my favorite movie is mine. Mine but not for me alone. Your heart is mine to care for, to treasure. But it will never be just mine.”