I couldn’t stop thinking about what Tori had said.
She’s tired.
Not angry.
Not trying to punish me.
Not waiting for me to chase her.
Tired.
The word followed me all the way home.
When I walked through the front door, Clare was sitting on the couch.
She looked up immediately.
“You’re back.”
I nodded.
“Where were you?”
“I went to see Tori.”
Her expression changed.
“About Arielle?”
“Yes.”
Clare’s lips pressed together.
“What did she say?”
I looked at her.
“That Arielle is hurting.”
Clare sighed.
“Joss, I know she’s hurting.”
“Do you?”
She looked surprised by the question.
“Of course I do.”
I said nothing.
Clare stood and walked toward me.
“She’s the one who chose to leave.”
“I know.”
“She made that decision.”
“I know.”
“Then you can’t keep blaming yourself.”
I
