The Do-Over

by Lynn Painter

Every time we studied together and he put on his Ivy League tortoiseshell glasses, I swore that my heart actually folded over on itself, causing the sweet pinching feeling that shot warmth through each and every one of my nerve endings. In hindsight, that feeling was probably some sort of atrial defect caused by my steady diet of black coffee and energy drinks. But I didn’t know that yet.

oh those caffeine-induced atrial defects... they'll get ya

“I’m fine.” I looked down at my spaghetti and put my napkin on my lap. “Why?” “You just look…” He gestured toward my face with his fork. “Like she was out too late the other night?” Thanks, Mom. “Like she’s sad.” Todd tilted his head and said it like it was extremely impossible. “Like she’s been crying. You sure you’re okay, kid?”

Of course her step dad is the second person to notice (and the first was a stranger)

who will call me out on my contrarian shit?”

This is tylor swift regerence #44783097447

“Thank you so much!” My mom smiled when I pulled back and she pushed my hair off my face. “It was Todd’s idea, and your dad was the one who had to renegotiate his new job.”

WE LOVE TODD

I looked down at the army-green coat. Now that I was thinking about it, I’d worn it on the very first Valentine’s Day. The one that’d started it all. Valentine’s Day. The anniversary of his brother’s death. But I never fell asleep in it—until the DONC. The last Valentine’s Day.

Omg yayyyy we love a loose thread tie up!!!! TY eric, sorry bout that atv thing