Promise Me Sunshine

by Cara Bastone

Do some people slowly fall in love and not realize it? Have I been in denial? Or did he hand me a locket with my best friend’s face glued into it and bam just like that two hundred gallons of feelings upturned onto my head?

She puts her hands on her hips. “He treats you well?” “Mom, he walked into hell and dragged me back out.”

“Yeah. I guess the people who love me the most all have unique names for me.”

“Lenny, when I look at your face, I feel like I’m finally home after a really long day at work.”

I have a job. You need a job that ISN’T chasing me around the city with oven mitts on. I like to take care of you.

Both of these lists are about me taking care of myself again.

Miles might be my lifeboat, but he doesn’t have to be my lifelong Coast Guard. And I’m going to prove it to him.

Does this man ever take the easy way out? No. Not ever. The only way out is through.

If I wanted a gentle touch for this, I’ve come to the wrong place. But who wants gentle? Hard way or bust, Lenny. The only way out is through.

How much of my personality is grief and how much is me?

am who I am because of Lou, but am I also who I am because Lou died? Is it possible that I’m here both because I’m grieving and experiencing a near-perfect happiness?

It’s a blunt cut. It’s never been more clear where I end and the world begins.

“Every time I fall in love with you there’s lightning.”

think that even in all your worst moments of grief, you’ve wished for companionship. I think you’re always, secretly, hoping for happy endings, even when they don’t seem possible.

think that the part of you that can’t help but manufacture happiness, because that’s who you are, it’s been sending up these little flowers to pop up and keep you company.”

you’re not in the least bit careful with me. Which…yeah. Feels good. You helped me remember how to feel strong. Healthy. Needed. I didn’t

“I’m committing the moment to memory.”

That list is about making sure you’re okay.” He takes a step toward me. “And I’ll never stop adding to it. And if I died first…then you should never stop adding to it.” —

“She knew that there isn’t actually a checklist for learning to live again. She knew that some days you do it and some days you don’t.”